Chile booked their spot in the semi-finals of the 2019 Copa America courtesy of a penalty-shootout win over Colombia in Sao Paulo.
The two teams could not be separated over the 90 minutes, with VAR twice coming to Colombia's rescue after the defending champions thought that they had made the breakthrough.
Alexis Sanchez scored the decisive spot kick, though, to ensure that La Roja would keep their hopes of winning a third straight Copa America title alive.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action.
Good evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Copa America quarter-final between Colombia and Chile from Sao Paulo. Chile have won each of the last two editions of the tournament. Colombia, though, have been impressive at this summer's competition and are seen by many as the favourites to progress from this last-eight clash. Stay tuned!
So we were set for a 12am UK time kickoff, but that will no longer be the case! Chile are late to the stadium and there will be a delay, hopefully only around 30 minutes.
TEAMS!
COLOMBIA: Opsina; Tesillo, Sanchez, Mina, Medina; Cuadrado, Barrios, Uribe; James, Falcao, Martinez
CHILE: Arias; Isla, Medel, Maripan, Beausejour; Aranguiz, Pulgar, Vidal; Fuenzalida, Vargas, Sanchez
Colombia are again without the services of Luis Muriel, who picked up an injury in the early stages of the win over Argentina. Duvan Zapata has been excellent form off the bench and had been putting pressure on Radamel Falcao when it comes to the starting spot at the tip of the attack. The latter gets the nod, though, playing alongside James Rodriguez and Roger Martinez as part of a 4-3-3 formation.
There will be a Premier League pairing at the heart of the Colombia defence, meanwhile, with Tottenham Hotspur's Davinson Sanchez joined by Everton's Yerry Mina. Elsewhere, Wilmar Barrios will start in midfield alongside Juan Cuadrado. Bournemouth's Jefferson Lerma was another option in the middle, although Mateus Uribe has been given the nod by Carlos Queiroz.
As for Chile, both Gary Medel and Arturo Vidal were seen as doubts in the build-up to kickoff but the pair are in the XI here. Alexis Sanchez will be supported in the final third by both Eduardo Vargas and Jose Pedro Fuenzalida, with Charles Aranguiz, who provided three assists in the group stages of the competition, also keeping his spot. That is the teams!
Fair amount of traffic on the roads in Sao Paulo!
There has not yet been an official announcement on when kickoff will be, which is always helpful. However, various reports have said that it will start either at 12.20am UK time or 12.30am. The lineups are now in and both teams are warming up on the field.
These two South American nations have locked horns on 38 occasions, with Chile leading the head-to-head 15 wins to Colombia's 10. The last match between the two teams, which came during qualification for the 2018 World Cup, finished 0-0. However, Chile beat Colombia 2-0 in the semi-finals of the 2016 Copa America. Will there be a repeat of that result tonight?
Just a reminder that Falcao gets the nod for Colombia here despite the fact that Duvan Zapata has scored twice for Queiroz's side at this summer's competition.
Both sets of players are on the field - better late than never. Once the national anthems have been sung, the pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, we will be ready to get this clash underway. It should be a cracking game.
The Chilean national anthem was something to behold, stunning noise inside the stadium. Right, kickoff is now moments away. It is Colombia versus Chile for a spot in the semi-finals.
KICKOFF: Chile kick things off in Sao Paulo...
... Brazil and Argentina have already booked their spot in the semi-finals, who will join them? Chile had the kickoff and the defending champions have had early possession of the ball here.
Good spell for Colombia in the last couple of minutes with Cuadrado and Martinez both delivering dangerous crosses into the Chile box. Another long ball comes towards Falcao, but Arias is on hand to gather. Colombia are looking to take control of the ball here.
This threatened to be a very good game and the early signs are excellent as both teams commit players in the final third of the field. There are some brilliant players on show here.
SHOT! Roger Martinez has a shot blocked by Medel inside the Chile box as Colombia threaten again. I would be astounded if there were not goals in this game due to the incredible tempo.
YELLOW CARD! Aranguiz (Chile) is booked for dissent.
Colombia have a free kick in a dangerous area as Falcao is felled by Aranguiz...
SHOT! ... James Rodriguez sees his shot blocked by the Chilean wall.
Alexis Sanchez looks fresh and energised - two things that he was not for Man United last season. The attacker already has two goals at this summer's competition and will be looking to cause Mina and Davinson Sanchez some problems tonight. Still goalless with 11 minutes played.
Colombia's only win over Chile since 2006 was a 3-1 victory during qualification for the 2014 World Cup. Recent history favours Chile, but Colombia have been so impressive this summer.
VAR has been heavily present during this summer's Copa America and it will be very interesting to see whether it plays a big role in tonight's game. It would be nice to see some goals scored without needing to be checked by VAR, but that seems unlikely to be honest.
SAVE! Big chance for Chile as Aranguiz ghosts into the Colombian box, but his header is saved by Ospina. The offside flag is then raised as Queiroz's side survive a dangerous moment.
GOAL! COLOMBIA 0-1 CHILE (ARANGUIZ)
Breakthrough! Chile take the lead in the 16th minute as Aranguiz turns into the back of the net from close range following a mix-up inside the Colombian box. It is a terrible moment at the back for Queiroz's side, but Chile do not mind one bit! Huge opening goal in this game.
There is a lengthy VAR check going on - there always is now.
DISALLOWED GOAL! No goal! What on earth? The goal has been disallowed!
An offside has been called from earlier in the move - crikey. Aranguiz was not offside, but it looked like Sanchez or Vargas were very early in the exchange. It is a big call here.
Confirmation that Alexis Sanchez was offside earlier in the move and therefore the goal was not awarded. There does not seem to be a goal without a VAR check in this competition.
Not too much to report in the last couple of minutes, not since Chile had their goal disallowed. Colombia are a bit flat in the final third at the moment, which is a bit of a surprise.
SAVE! Comfortable save for Arias to keep out a low strike from Falcao.
Colombia are just starting to force the issue in the final third once again, but Chile have defended well in the first 27 minutes of this quarter-final, which is still all square at 0-0.
Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining and Colombia are currently on the front foot. We have not seen too much from Chile since they had the goal disallowed for an Alexis Sanchez offside. It would have been a different game at this point if Aranguiz's goal stood.
You do wonder whether this might be a game for Duvan Zapata, particularly as the second period develops. As good as Medel is when it comes to reading the game and providing experience, he would not relish coming up against the power and movement of Zapata.
All kicking off here and Mina is in the middle of the argument, well above it. Lots of pushing and shoving and there might well be a couple of yellow cards to follow here.
No bookings - the referee manages to calm things down. Alexis Sanchez was having an argument with Mina, which is not too clever due to the immense size difference.
Beausejour continues to threaten for Chile in a wide position and the number 15 has just won another corner which Sanchez delivers and Barrios manages to turn behind.
CHANCE! Now that's a big chance for Maripan, who rises inside the Colombia box to meet a deep Beausejour cross but can only head wide of the target. Really good opportunity!
Beausejour really has been flying up and down the left for Chile, which is not bad for a 35-year-old. Chile are the better team at the moment as we head for the half-time break.
The moment that Chile thought they had taken the lead...
Still goalless as we approach the end of the first period, but it has been an entertaining game of football thus far. Colombia, though, have been a touch disappointing going forward.
SHOT! Vidal misses the Colombian goal with a strike from just outside the box.
Whistles from the Colombia fans as Chile break forward in the latter stages of the first period. Isla combines with Aranguiz in a dangerous position, but Barrios makes the challenge.
YELLOW CARD! Medina (Colombia) is booked for a foul on Alexis Sanchez.
We are into the first of four added minutes at the end of the first period here.
Colombia have not really threatened since the early stages of this match, which will be a concern to Queiroz as the first period approaches its latter stages. Just a reminder that both Brazil and Argentina have already booked their spot in the semi-finals of the competition.
Aranguiz is currently down receiving treatment for Chile following a late tackle.
HALF TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 CHILE
So there we have it - the referee brings the first period to a close with the two teams level at 0-0. Chile thought that they had taken the lead in the 16th minute when Aranguiz converted from close range, but the goal was disallowed for an offside earlier in the move. All square here.
STATISTICS! Chile shaded the first-half possession with 58%, while they managed six attempts, but just one of those was on target. Colombia, meanwhile, hit the target with one of their four attempts. Two yellows to report with Aranguiz and Medina both in the book here.
BENCH WATCH! Castillo, Hernandez and Valdes are amongst those on the Chile bench tonight, while Colombia have options in the shape of Cardona, Lerma and Duvan Zapata. It will certainly be interesting to see whether either manager looks to their bench at the interval.
KICKOFF: Colombia resume the action in Sao Paulo...
... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both managers will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
Vidal brings Cuadrado to the deck and Colombia have a free kick in a dangerous area...
CLOSE! ... James Rodriguez hits the side netting with a clever effort.
A fast break from Colombia ends with Falcao feeding Cuadrado in a dangerous position, but the midfielder takes the ball too wide and eventually squeezes a shot well wide. Better from Queiroz's side, who are currently carrying an attacking threat in Sao Paulo.
SAVE! Ospina has to make a smart save to keep out a strike from Vargas.
You do get the feeling that there is a goal in this game - unless it is disallowed by VAR. It would be terrific to see a nice clean goal without having to use VAR. Not much to ask!
Colombia are currently forcing the issue in Chile's half of the field, with Medina and Tesillo both pushing forward. Falcao has been quiet, though, and Duvan Zapata could soon enter.
James Rodriguez cleverly looks to find Cuadrado inside the Chile box, but the ball just runs away from the Juventus midfielder and Chile can resume from the back.
We are entering the stage of the match where both managers will start to think about possible changes. You do get the feeling that one goal might be enough to win this game.
YELLOW CARD! Vidal (Chile) is booked for a foul on Barrios.
SHOT! Alexis Sanchez breaks the offside trap before driving towards the Colombian box, but his shot was always moving wide of the post. Good movement from the Manchester United attacker.
Vargas and Mina have a little collision which leads to the former throwing himself to the ground before getting up shortly after. Little bit embarrassing to be completely honest.
Little over 25 minutes of the second period remaining and we are still goalless. This game will go straight to a penalty shootout if the two teams cannot be separated in 90 minutes.
Colombia are preparing to make their first change of the match as Cardona receives his final instructions - surely Duvan Zapata will not be too far behind if the score stays 0-0.
COLOMBIA SUB! Uribe is replaced by Cardona for Colombia.
Little over 20 minutes of normal time remaining and we are still level. Is this quarter-final heading for a penalty shootout, or will there be some late drama? Plenty of time left.
YELLOW CARD! Cuadrado (Colombia) is booked for a foul on Alexis Sanchez.
GOAL! COLOMBIA 0-1 CHILE (VIDAL)
Vidal fires home from inside the box, but VAR want to have a look. Of course they do!
DISALLOWED GOAL! No goal! The referee saw a handball from Vidal before the ball hit the net!
Little over 15 minutes of the second period remaining, but there will be a healthy amount of added time. Will there be a goal without VAR ruling it out? Time will tell!
CHILE SUB! Pavez replaces Fuenzalida for Chile.
Ospina rises to collect a loose ball inside the Colombia box at the end of another period of pressure from Chile. It does appear that Duvan Zapata will soon enter for Colombia.
COLOMBIA SUB! Duvan Zapata replaces Falcao for Colombia.
Aranguiz delivers a dangerous free kick into the Colombia box, but a mixture of Davinson Sanchez and Mina do enough to clear behind for a corner, which is also dealt with. Still 0-0.
Chile are the team forcing the issue at the moment with Colombia struggling to make their mark in the final third. Queiroz's side have been poor going forward in tonight's clash.
COLOMBIA SUB! Diaz replaces Martinez for Colombia.
Just a reminder that this game will head straight for a penalty shootout if the score remains level. I am extremely surprised that there have not been any goals in this game - well, there have been two, but neither have stood. Is there going to be some late drama here?
Neither team will want to concede at this stage and therefore penalties are likely with both expected to take a step back. Not too many would have predicted a 0-0 here.
Chile have been the better team tonight - there is no question about that. La Roja are currently on the front foot having forced a couple of corners in quick succession.
Colombia look to have settled for the penalty shootout and Chile are also slightly wary of committing too many players forward. There will be a decent chunk of stoppage time, though.
YELLOW CARD! James Rodriguez (Colombia) is booked for a foul on Vidal.
We will soon find out how much stoppage time will be played at the end of the 90.
Into the first minute of the four which have been added here.
Not an awful lot to report in stoppage time - it is not a surprise to see both teams almost accept the shootout for a spot in the semi-finals. A final score of 0-0 would be a surprise.
Seconds remaining here and a penalty shootout will seemingly decide this clash.
END OF 90 MINUTES: COLOMBIA 0-0 CHILE (MATCH GOES TO PENALTIES)
Penalties it is then! Who will hold their nerve to progress to the semi-finals?
Colombia were disappointing tonight in terms of an attacking threat, with Chile certainly the more dangerous team in the final third. The defending champions had two goals disallowed following VAR checks and could now be made to pay further in the penalty shootout.
Here we go then - the wait is almost over. Penalties between Colombia and Chile!
Medel and James Rodriguez have met with the referee and the shootout is about to begin. Brazil beat Paraguay on penalties in the first semi-final - who will win this one?
GOAL! James Rodriguez gets Colombia off to the perfect start by firing home!
GOAL! All square in the shootout as Vidal follows James Rodriguez's lead.
GOAL! Colombia are ahead once again as Cardona finds the back of the net.
GOAL! All square in the shootout once again as Vargas converts past Ospina.
GOAL! Cuadrado scores to make it 3-2 Colombia here.
GOAL! Perfect shootout thus far as Pulgar slots his effort down the middle.
GOAL! Advantage Colombia again as Mina fires home!
GOAL! Aranguiz scores for 4-4!
SHOT! Oh no! Tesillo fires well wide of the post!
GOAL! Sanchez scores to send Chile into the semi-finals of the competition!
FULL TIME: COLOMBIA 0-0 CHILE (CHILE WIN 5-4 ON PENALTIES)
So there we have it. Sanchez scores to win it for Chile, who advance to the semi-finals courtesy of a 5-4 penalty win over Colombia. What a finish! Chile join Brazil and Argentina in the final four. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. See you soon!
