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Colombia 0 Peru 0 (4-2 on pens): David Ospina is the shootout hero as Colombia squeeze into Copa America semi-finals

Arsenal stopper pulls off magnificent save in stoppage time before keeping out Miguel Trauco's spotkick with his legs

DAVID OSPINA was the hero as Colombia advanced to the semi-finals of the Copa America after a dramatic penalty shootout with Peru.

Peru were looking to summon the spirit of '75 and continue their giant killing after knocking out Brazil in the group stages, whilst Colombia were determined to put behind them a poor defeat to Costa Rica.

The Metlife Stadium was packed to the rafters come kick off
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The Metlife Stadium was packed to the rafters come kick offCredit: Getty Images
Colombian fans heavily outnumbered the Peruvians
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Colombian fans heavily outnumbered the PeruviansCredit: AP:Associated Press

Despite Peru's 5-4-1 formation looking negative on paper, both sides had early chances with the Colombian's coming close through Carlos Bacca, whilst the underdogs almost took the lead when Edison Flores leapt highest but couldn't quite control his header.

But it was James Rodriquez, so often at the centre of everything good about Colombia's play, who almost opened the scoring.

Bacca gets off a shot as the Peruvian defence holds firm
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Bacca gets off a shot as the Peruvian defence holds firmCredit: Usa Today Sports
Christian Cueva and Carlos Sanchez have a disagreement as the tackles began to fly
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Christian Cueva and Carlos Sanchez have a disagreement as the tackles began to flyCredit: Getty Images

The Real Madrid man cut past a static defender before unleashing an unstoppable stop that crashed off the right hand upright and back across goal.

White shirts continued to stream forward and the Peruvians answer was to attack back - yet somehow it was goalless at half time as both teams were guilty of sloppy finishing.

Jose Pekerman watched his side miss a hatful of chances
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Jose Pekerman watched his side miss a hatful of chancesCredit: AP:Associated Press
James Rodriquez leaps highest but can't hit the target as Colombia were frustrated
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James Rodriquez leaps highest but can't hit the target as Colombia were frustratedCredit: EPA

Bacca had an early chance to break the deadlock but headed straight at Pedro Gallese, before Juan Cuadrado flashed an effort just wide.

As time ticked on, the chances began to dry up and penalties began to look inevitable.

Ospina pulled off a magnificent late save to force penalties
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Ospina pulled off a magnificent late save to force penaltiesCredit: AP:Associated Press

But Colombia had Arsenal's Ospina to thank for an incredible stoppage time save from Christian Ramos which forced the shootout.

With both sets of fans barely able to look, the players were impeccable from the spot until Miguel Trauco had his penalty saved by Ospina's legs.

And Christian Cueva blazed over to send Colombia into a semi-final with either Chile or Mexico.

Ospina stops Trauco's penalty to give Colombia the advantage
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Ospina stops Trauco's penalty to give Colombia the advantageCredit: Getty Images
Colombian players were sent into wild celebrations after the final penalty
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Colombian players were sent into wild celebrations after the final penaltyCredit: Getty Images

How the penalties happened:

James Rodriquez (Colombia) - SCORES

Raul Ruidiaz (Peru) - SCORES

Juan Cuadrado (Colombia) - SCORES

Renato Tapia (Peru) - SCORES

Dayro Moreno (Colombia) - SCORES

Miguel Trauco (Peru) - SAVED

Sebastian Perez (Colombia) - SCORES

Christian Cueva (Peru) - MISSES

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