Colombia qualified for the final of the Copa América in the night from Wednesday to Thursday. In the semi-final, the Colombians were just too strong for Uruguay. A goal by Jefferson Lerma just before half-time proved enough for victory.
After the match, two fierce brawls broke out. Uruguayan internationals Darwin Núñez and Ronald Araújo sought out the Colombian fans in the stands after the narrow defeat and exchanged blows. On the field, players and staff from the two teams sought confrontation with each other.
The brawl, mainly between Liverpool striker Núñez and the fans, lasted for minutes until security personnel intervened. According to Uruguay captain José María Giménez, the players sought the confrontation to protect their families. “It was a disaster. There were no police and we had to defend our families. There were newborn babies. This is the fault of two or three people who had a few too many drinks and don’t know how to drink,” the defender said in an initial reaction.
Colombia will play the final against Argentina on the night of Sunday to Monday. They previously defeated Canada in the semi-final.
This footage shows a bit clearer what happened between Darwin Nuñez and the Colombian fans. pic.twitter.com/AHKjDGIj42
— Uruguay Football ENG (@UruguayFootENG) July 11, 2024
Uruguay players have entered the stands and a fight has broken out between fans and players pic.twitter.com/XRbte2ibiy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) July 11, 2024
