Carlos Tevez scores shootout winner for Argentina against Colombia

Carlos Tevez scored the winner for Argentina as Tata Martino’s side secured a place in the Copa America semi-finals with a penalty shootout victory over Colombia.

The tournament favourites dominated much of the contest, but failed to find the breakthrough in normal time - with both Nicolas Otamendi and Lionel Messi coming close to breaking the deadlock for La Albiceleste. But an outstanding performance from David Ospina saw the game taken to penalties.

Both teams were impressive from the spot, until Luis Muriel blasted his effort well over the target. However, Lucas Biglia passed up his chance to send Argentina through, with Marcos Rojo also missing from 12 yards.

But at the third time of asking Argentina secured a final four place, with Tevez converting down the centre of the target to claim a 5-4 shootout win and set up a potential semi-final meeting against rivals Brazil.

8’ FIRST REAL CHANCE! Di Maria drives down the left side and fires a pass into the near post. Aguero turns the ball towards goal but Ospina is equal to it and makes the save. Nice play.

9’ ROJO SHOULD HAVE DONE BETTER! That was a free header for the Manchester United defender. Di Maria found him from the corner kick but Rojo managed to head over the target.

20’ FANTASTIC CHANCE FOR THE OPENER! Di Maria's wicked whipped cross into the area lands at the feet of Aguero, but the Manchester City striker can't force the shot on target.

INCREDIBLE DOUBLE SAVE! Ospina keeps Colombia level. First of all he saves with his legs from Aguero, then makes an instinctive save to push Messi's close range header over the bar.

65’ OSPINA COMES CLOSE TO A HOWLER! That was almost a disaster for the Colombia goalkeeper. His touch from a back pass was poor, allowing Di Maria to close him down. But he just gets it away in time. Close.

66’ JAMES OPPORTUNITY! That's the closest Colombia have come to a goalscoring chance. Cuadrado comes flying down the right side and squares it for James, but he takes too long over his shot.

79’ OFF THE TOP OF THE CROSSBAR! Banega takes the shot from the edge of the box, with Ospina beaten all ends up. However, the effort clips the top edge of the Colombian crossbar. Wooft!

80’ CUADRADO SHOULD BE OFF! The Chelsea winger went in hard and reckless on Messi on the edge of the box, with the referee choosing to play on. But he should have been shown a second yellow card.

81’ INCREDIBLE DRAMA! Otamendi wins the header from the corner kick, but Ospina dives down low to tip the effort on to the bar, with the ball bouncing back across the face of goal. But it's cleared off the line.

89’ OFF THE LINE AGAIN! Colombia are hanging on once again. Zapata actually touched a through ball past his own keeper, forcing Murillo to slide clear off his own line under pressure from Lavezzi.

PENALTY MISSED! Argentina 3-3 Colombia - we have the first miss of the shootout! Muriel absolutely blasted that well over the bar. Wow.

PENALTY MISSED! Argentina 4-4 Colombia - Biglia has missed! He had the chance to send Argentina into the semi-finals, but he sent that miles wide.

PENALTY MISSED! Argentina 4-4 Colombia - what a horrible spot kick! Murillo strikes that effort miles over. How did he hit it that far over?!

PENALTY SCORED! Argentina 5-4 Colombia - Tevez sends his spot kick down the centre of the goal and Argentina have won the shootout.

Three of the last four meetings between these two countries have now finished 0-0.

Lionel Messi has now scored all of his three penalties in shoot-outs with Argentina, in the 2011 Copa America, the 2014 World Cup and the 2015 Copa America.

Argentina’s final third struggles persist ahead of the semi-finals. Colombia did their best to frustrate Argentina, sitting deep and absorbing their pressure, but Martino must still be concerned over the lack of verve and creativity from his side in the final third. La Albiceleste have the best frontline in the Copa America, but they have toiled to find the net so far - scoring just four times in as many matches. They must find their groove ahead of a potential final four meeting with Brazil.

David Ospina (Colombia): On the basis of this performance, Arsene Wenger may well have second thoughts about replacing the Colombian goalkeeper. This was one of the best displays of the Copa America so far - with Ospina almost single-handedly taking Colombia as far as the penalty shootout - making one particularly astonishing save to deny Lionel Messi from close range. His stop from a Nicolas Otamendi header also made the highlight reel. He deserved better than to end up on the losing side.

Argentina - Romero 6, Zabaleta 6, Garay 5, Otamendi 7, Rojo 6, Pastore 8, Mascherano 6, Biglia 5, Messi 7, Di Maria 7, Aguero 5. Subs - Banega 5, Lavezzi 5, Tevez 6.

Colombia - Ospina 9, Arias 6, Zapata 6, Murillo 7, Zuniga 6, Mejia 6, Rodriguez 6, Cuadrado 5, Ibarbo 5, Teo 5, Martinez 5. Subs - Falcao 5, Cardona 6, Muriel 5.