Colombia beats Uruguay 1-0 and will face Lionel Messi and Argentina in Copa America final

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Colombia is headed to the Copa America championship game for the first time in 23 years after a contentious win over Uruguay in which it played the second half a man short and players brawled with fans in the stands following the final whistle.

Jefferson Lerma scored in the 39th minute for a 1-0 win Wednesday night and a matchup with Lionel Messi and defending champion Argentina on Sunday.

“Until you overcome your weaknesses you cannot grow,” Colombia coach Nester Lorenzo said through a interpreter. “And when you overcome those obstacles you can grow.”

Daniel Muñoz was ejected in first-half stoppage time for an elbow that led to his second yellow card. Despite Uruguay having 61.9% possession, Colombia held on to reach the championship for the first time since winning its only Copa title as host in 2001.

Colombia extended its unbeaten streak to a team record 28 games, one more than from 1992-94 and the longest current streak in men's international soccer.

“They are very hungry as players and very eager and they really add many elements to their game beyond the tactical side,” Lorenzo said.

In a match that included seven yellow cards in addition to the red, players from both teams pushed and shoved in a scrum on the field at the final whistle. Darwin Núñez and about a dozen Uruguay teammates went into the stands as fans brawled.

A video showed Núñez hitting a fan in Colombian team colors.

CONMEBOL released a statement after the game saying that it strongly condemns any act of violence that affects the game.

“Our work is based on the conviction that soccer connects and unites us through its positive values," the organization said. "There is no place for intolerance and violence on and off the field. We invite everyone in the remaining days to pour all of their passion into cheering on their national teams and having an unforgettable party.”

Defending champion Argentina and Colombia meet at Miami Gardens, Florida, in the tournament finale. The Albiceleste are seeking a record 16th Copa title and are looking to join Spain from 2008-12 as the only countries to win three straight major championships.

Uruguay stays in Charlotte to meet Canada in Saturday night's third-place match.

Before an overwhelmingly pro-Colombia crowd of 70,644 that filled Bank of America Stadium with yellow jerseys and flags, Uruguay fell behind for the first time in the tournament.

James Rodríguez’s corner kick was headed in from short range by Lerma, who outjumped José María Giménez for his third international goal and second of the tournament. Rodríguez has six assists in the tournament -- triple the total of any other player.

Muñoz received his first yellow card from Mexican referee César Ramos in the 31st minute for a reckless slide tackle on Maximiliano Araújo and his second for elbowing Manuel Ugarte in the stomach.

Rodríguez was given a yellow card in the 55th minute for arguing with Ramos when the referee failed to stop play after Richard Ríos was kicked on a shin by Darwin Núñez.

Ríos was removed on a stretcher, re-entered the match, then went down in another challenge and was substituted in the 62nd minute. Rodríguez was removed at the same time to keep him eligible for the final.

Colombia goalkeeper Camilo Vargas didn’t have to make his first save until he stopped Nicolás de la Cruz in the 68th minute.

Luis Suárez, Uruguay’s career leader with 68 goals, entered in the 66th minute and hit the outside of a post with a shot in the 71st. He grasped his head in his hands in disgust.

“The moments in which we could unbalance the game, we did not succeed,” Uruguay coach Marcelo Bielsa said. “We should have generated more goal situations than we did.”

Colombia’s Mateus Uribe, another second-half sub, put an open shot wide in the 88th, and Uribe’s open shot in the fourth minute of stoppage time ricocheted off the body of sliding goalkeeper Sergio Rochet and then the crossbar.

Uruguay moved Rochet up to the attacking half of the field in the final minute, desperate for a goal.

The match was played in 90-degree heat on a surface that was converted from artificial turf to grass in the weeks leading up the game.

Players on the NFL’s Carolina Panthers have been outspoken about soccer teams having the luxury of playing on grass on their home field. Players say NFL games on artificial turf leave them more susceptible to injuries.

With two games left, attendance of 1.48 million is just 1,663 shy of the total for the 2016 tournament in the United States,

AP Copa America coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/copa-america

Uruguay's Ronald Araujo, right, argues with fans after a Copa America semifinal soccer match against Colombia in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Uruguay's players argue with fans at the end of a Copa America semifinal soccer match against Colombia in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Colombia's coach Nestor Lorenzo watches his team playing Uruguay in a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance to score against Colombia during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Uruguay's Maximiliano Araujo (20) is grabbed by Colombia's Carlos Cuesta, right, during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Fans gather to watch a broadcast of a Copa America semifinal soccer match between Uruguay and Colombia in Montevideo, Uruguay, Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Matilde Campodonico)

Colombia's Luis Diaz lies on the pitch during a Copa America semifinal soccer match against Uruguay in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance to score against Colombia during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Uruguay's Luis Suarez reacts after missing a chance to score against Colombia during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Colombia's Luis Diaz, left, evades Uruguay's Jose Gimenez during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Colombia's Luis Diaz is helped by Uruguay's Giorgian De Arrascaeta after being injured during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Colombia's Jefferson Lerma (16) and Uruguay's Federico Valverde battle for the ball during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Colombia's players celebrate Jefferson Lerma's goal against Uruguay during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Players of Colombia celebrate their side's opening goal against Uruguay scored by teammate Jefferson Lerma during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Uruguay's Mathias Olivera holds his head after Colombia's Jefferson Lerma scored his side's first goal during a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson)

Colombia's Luis Diaz, right, and teammate James Rodriguez, center, celebrate their team's 1-0 victory over Uruguay at the end of a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Colombia's James Rodriguez celebrates his team's 1-0 victory over Uruguay at the end of a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

Colombia's Jefferson Lerma (16) celebrates with a teammate their team's 1-0 victory over Uruguay at the end of a Copa America semifinal soccer match in Charlotte, N.C., Wednesday, July 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Nell Redmond)

NEW YORK (AP) — Derek Hill delivered a tiebreaking single with two outs in the eighth inning that sent the Miami Marlins to a 3-2 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.

Nick Fortes had a sacrifice fly and Hill made a sensational catch in the first inning to help the last-place Marlins prevent a three-game sweep. Hill also scored the tying run on Huascar Brazobán's wild pitch in the seventh.

“It’s always nice to win a close game — just kind of prove to yourself and to the team that we’ve got what it takes to win these ballgames,” Hill said.

Miami became the first team to win a game in which it had three runners picked off since the New York Yankees beat Toronto 4-2 in June 1991. Emmanuel Rivera and Xavier Edwards were picked off first by Mets starter Paul Blackburn before Edwards was picked off second by Reed Garrett.

“On the bases, not so great. You’re going to have those days,” Marlins manager Skip Schumaker said. “You’re going to have some days with a young team — guys are still learning at this level and taking a shot at different times. You’re going to have some teaching moments, for sure.”

Garrett (7-5) walked three of the five batters he faced before Hill singled to left field against Phil Maton, putting Miami in front 3-2. Jeff McNeil made a strong throw to the plate, but the ball popped out of catcher Francisco Alvarez’s mitt as he quickly tried to apply a sweep tag on Jonah Bride.

Andrew Nardi (3-1) struck out two and Declan Cronin got pinch-hitter J.D. Martinez to ground into an inning-ending double play in the eighth. Calvin Faucher earned his third save with a scoreless ninth.

Francisco Lindor made a bid for a three-run homer in the ninth, but defensive replacement Cristian Pache ran down his long drive on the center-field warning track.

“I wasn’t happy when I saw it off the bat,” Schumaker said with a grin. “Just a great play.”

Lindor had an RBI single in the fifth for the Mets, who fell two games behind Atlanta for the third NL wild card. Lindor is hitting .358 (19 for 53) with eight RBIs during a 12-game hitting streak.

“Today might leave a little bit of a bad taste in our mouth, but we’ve still got a long way to go,” Blackburn said. “We can’t dwell on something like this.”

Mets left fielder Brandon Nimmo homered in the sixth and saved a run with a diving catch an inning later. But he hurt his right shoulder making the grab and exited after striking out in the seventh. He is scheduled for an MRI on Monday.

“It’s sore right now. It kind of feels a little bit dead right now. Don’t really want to do much with it,” Nimmo said after the game. “But (the doctors) said that’s kind of how it’s going to feel probably for the next 12 hours or so."

Marlins rookie Valente Bellozo allowed two runs in 5 1/3 innings — the fifth time he’s permitted two runs or fewer in six career starts. Blackburn gave up one run over six innings in his fourth start for the Mets.

The Mets picked off three runners in a game for the second time in team history.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

New York's first-inning threat ended when Mark Vientos was thrown out 8-9-4-2 while trying to score from second after Hill crashed into the right-center wall while robbing Pete Alonso of an extra-base hit. Lying on the ground, Hill tossed the ball to right fielder Jesús Sánchez. He fired to second baseman Otto López, who made a one-hop throw to the plate.

“Maybe the relay of the year,” Bellozo said.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: RF Starling Marte was activated from the injured list and went 1 for 3 with a single. Marte missed eight weeks due to a bone bruise on his right knee. OF Ben Gamel was designated for assignment. … RHP Dedniel Núñez (right pronator strain) is scheduled to throw an inning Tuesday for Triple-A Syracuse. … RHP Christian Scott (right UCL sprain) threw before the game.

UP NEXT

Marlins: Head home Monday to begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Neither team had announced its starter yet.

Mets: LHP David Peterson (7-1, 3.04 ERA), who has allowed two runs or fewer in 10 of his 13 starts this season, takes the mound Monday night when New York opens a three-game series against visiting Baltimore.

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

Miami Marlins' Derek Hill, right, scores past New York Mets pitcher Huascar Brazobán (43) after a wild pitch during the seventh inning of a baseball game at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

New York Mets outfielder Brandon Nimmo makes a diving catch during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins' Jesús Sánchez, right, celebrates with Otto Lopez (61) after a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins' outfielders Derek Hill, left, Cristian Pache, center, and Jesús Sánchez, right, celebrate after a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins' Jonah Bride slides into home plate on a single hit by Derek Hill during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. The Marlins defeated the Mets 3-2. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins' Jonah Bride, center, scores past New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez, right, on a single hit by Derek Hill during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. The Marlins defeated the Mets 3-2. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

Miami Marlins' Jonah Bride, right, scores past New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez on a single hit by Derek Hill during the eighth inning of a baseball game at Citi Field, Sunday, Aug. 18, 2024, in New York. The Marlins defeated the Mets 3-2. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)