COLOMBIA ended its Copa America campaign on a high after seeing off hosts the United States 1-0 in Saturday’s third-place playoff.

    Following unsuccessful semifinal fixtures, Carlos Bacca scored the only goal of the match in the 31st minute in Arizona as Colombia recorded its best performance at the Copa America since the side won South America’s premier tournament in 2001.

    Bacca netted his 13th international goal after scrambling the ball into the net from close range following a stunning throughball from captain James Rodriguez in a rematch of the Centenario curtain-raiser, which Jose Pekerman and Co. won 2-0 earlier this month.

    The U.S. players did have their chances, with Bobby Wood going close and Clint Dempsey’s set-piece forcing Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina into a fine save.

    Both teams finished the clash with 10 men, following late red cards to Michael Orozco and Santiago Arias.

    (SD-Agencies)