GLENDALE, Arizona :James Rodriguez scored one goal and set up two more as Colombia thoroughly dismantled Panama in a 5-0 win at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Saturday to march into the Copa America semi-finals.
"Los Cafeteros" are through to the semi-finals for the third time in four editions and they will face either Uruguay or Brazil, who meet in a quarter-final clash in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Saturday.
"The most important thing is still to come. We hope to reach the final," said Rodriguez, who was named player of the match.
"I am very happy because we are going through a good moment. Today we played a good game and scored the goals quickly."
Striker Jhon Cordoba outmuscled his marker to head home from a corner and give Colombia the lead in the eighth minute, before Nestor Lorenzo's side were awarded a penalty after Panama goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera brought down Jhon Arias.
James Rodriguez stepped up to the spot and smashed his effort into the roof of the net in the 15th minute to net his 28th international goal.
Panama had a brief spell of possession midway through the first half, with their best chance coming in the 19th minute when Roderick Miller's header bounced off the post and directly at goalkeeper Camilo Vargas, who displayed great reflexes to swat it away from goal.
Colombia weathered the storm and punished their opponents from another set piece in the 41st minute, as Rodriguez played in Luis Diaz with a quick free kick and the Liverpool winger lobbed his shot over Mosquera from the edge of the area.
"We know what kind of foot James has and one look is enough. He saw me and I scored the pass. It was a nice goal. We are very in sync and we hope to keep on winning for the fans," Diaz said.
Colombia
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