Four years after his miss in a penalty shootout sent Argentina spinning out of the Copa America, Carlos Tevez slammed home the winning spot-kick against Colombia yesterday to book his country’s place in this year’s semi-finals.
After a goalless draw in which Argentina did everything but score against a Colombian side inspired by one of the tournament’s great goalkeeping performances, Tevez stepped up to beat David Ospina and seal the shootout 5-4.
Argentina will play either Brazil or Paraguay in next Wednesday’s semi-finals.
Tevez, who finished the job after team-mates Lucas Biglia and Marcos Rojo had failed to deliver from the spot, chose to share the glory.
“What’s done is done, today is a victory for my team-mates because we played a fantastic game and I am very proud to be a member of this team,” Tevez said moments after grabbing the winner.
“Being here means we are doing things very well.”
The feeling was very different from that of four years ago, when his miss saw Argentina lose to Uruguay in the quarter-finals by the same shootout scoreline.
While Tevez sealed the win, Ospina was man of the match, making some remarkable stops to keep his side in the game.
The Arsenal goalkeeper made a sensational double save in the 25th minute when he dived to keep out a point-blank shot from Sergio Aguero with his legs and then got up to parry Lionel Messi’s header from the rebound.
He also did just enough to tip a shot from Nicolas Otamendi onto the post with 10 minutes left.
Jeison Murillo scooped the ball off the line with seconds to go as Argentina piled on the pressure.
Argentina, who have not won the Copa America since 1993, now face the winner of the Brazil-Paraguay match which was played last night.
The other semi-final will be between hosts Chile and Peru.
Argentina coach Gerardo Martino said: “I can’t imagine what it would be like talking to you now if we’d have lost. It would have been very unfair.
“I hope we can play in the same way (in the later matches) but score more goals.”
Like Alejandro Sabella’s side at last year’s World Cup, Argentina are making hard work of their progress due to a dearth of finishing despite boasting Messi and Aguero in their attack.
The first objective in 2014 was to breach the last-eight barrier at a World Cup for the first time since 1990 and then make it into the semis which is what they have also done in Chile.
Martino must be hoping for a liberating effect after making the semi-finals.
“We controlled the entire 90 minutes. They had one header that was their most dangerous chance and their goalkeeper Ospina was probably their key player. It was unfair that we had to go to penalties but that’s how it was,” Martino said.
Colombia also came to the tournament among the favourites but go home having scored one goal in four matches – and that from a central defender.