GLENDALE (UNITED STATES), June 26: AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca scored the only goal as Colombia defeated the United States 1-0 to clinch third place in the Copa America Centenario here.
Bacca, 29, bundled home the winner on 31 minutes, nudging in from close range to settle a hard-fought contest yesterday.
The US, beaten 4-0 by Argentina in the semifinals on Tuesday, rallied desperately to get back into the game but ultimately were frustrated by some superb goalkeeping from David Ospina.
It was the second time the US had been beaten by Colombia in this tournament. The Colombians also defeated them 2-0 in the tournament�s opening match.
US coach Jurgen Klinsmann had blamed his side for being �too nice� against Argentina in the semifinals, when they failed to register a single shot either on or off target.
However they were unlucky not to score during an entertaining game in Arizona.
Colombia had gone closest to scoring first, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez being denied by a fine Tim Howard save on 12 minutes.
Rodriguez was the architect for Colombia�s goal just after the half hour mark, chipping a wonderful pass into the path of Santiago Arias, who headed across the six yard box for Bacca to score.
The US responded gamely to the setback however, with Jermaine Jones almost equalising when his low shot deflected off Arias and just missed the target.
Seattle Sounders veteran Clint Dempsey, arguably the best US player of the tournament, had another good game but was unable to add to his Copa tally of three goals and three assists.
Dempsey almost laid on a goal for Hamburg�s Bobby Wood, but the Bundesliga-based striker was unable to get his shot away cleanly.
Dempsey produced the best American chance of the second half, with his long-range curling free-kick drawing a brilliant save from Ospina, clawing the ball away one-handed as it rocketed towards the top corner. US coach Klinsmann later bemoaned his team�s inability to finish off any of the several chances created throughout.
�Ultimately they were clinical,� Klinsmann told reporters.
�They took their one chance in the first half � we couldn�t take ours. There were enough chances for us to put one in but we just weren�t clinical enough and the players know that.�
However Klinsmann was satisfied with what he described as a successful campaign.
�The players realised tonight that if they raise the level of commitment and aggressiveness they can compete with these kinds of teams,� Klinsmann said. � AFP
SSP Chawrasia finishes tied-50th
Pulheim (Germany), June 26: Three bogeys in the last seven holes saw SSP Chawrasia finish even par and at tied-50th at the BMW International Open golf tournament here today.
Chawrasia, who had 70-72 in the first two rounds, carded 73-73 for the final two rounds.
Henrik Stenson was leading at 15-under with nine more holes to play, while Darren Fichardt and Raphael Jacquelin were at 13-under with nine and seven holes to play. � PTI
