Colombia rides its yellow wave to Copa America final against Argentina

Although Colombia spent most of the game playing a man down, in truth, it started the game a man up: the Bank of America stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, was packed to the brim with Colombia fans sporting the team's signature yellow. Uruguay is no stranger to unbalanced crowds — it is, after all, a nation of just 3.4 million people — but the pro-Colombia energy in Charlotte was staggering, even for Uruguay. If you didn't know better, you would've guessed the game was being played in Bogota.

Colombia has one Copa America title to Uruguay's 15, and accordingly, it entered this match as something of an underdog. But Colombia has been on an unprecedented hot streak since it failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. In beating la celeste, Colombia extended its unbeaten streak to a frankly incredible 28 games. It's the longest unbeaten streak anywhere in men's international soccer.

That streak will be put to the test in Sunday's Copa America final against Argentina. The Argentines have looked shaky — they needed penalties to get past Ecuador and missed crucial chances against Canada — but remain dangerous and will consider this Miami-based final something of a "home game." It's Argentina's second final in two years and Colombia's first in 23; the stage is set for a fascinating clash between the world champions and their would-be challengers.

Uruguay, for its part, will rue its missed opportunities against 10-man Colombia. Its extra-time victory over Brazil in the quarterfinals remains an incredible achievement, but it felt like that match drained Uruguay to the point where it couldn't keep up with spirited, aggressive Colombia. With defender Ronald Araujo and midfielder Nahitan Nandez unavailable — the former was injured against Brazil, the latter sent off — Uruguay was forced to resort to a "plan B" lineup from kickoff.

There was one bright spot for Uruguay: the second-half introduction of the legendary Luis Suarez. The years are catching up to him, but he looked just as spiky as ever in what may well be his final tournament appearance for Uruguay. 

"I'm enjoying every moment very much," Suarez said of the Copa, per Reuters (h/t ESPN.com). "It is something that at my age, as you get older, you enjoy it more and more whether you're playing a lot or playing a little, because you know that the flame of football is dying out."

Suarez will have one more game in the Copa with his Uruguayan teammates: the third-place match against Canada on Saturday, June 13. Colombia, meanwhile, will ride their yellow wave of support all the way to the final in Miami on Sunday, July 14.