OMNISPORT 

James Rodriguez paid tribute to Colombia hero David Ospina after the goalkeeper helped his country beat Peru and progress to the Copa America Centenario semifinals.

Ospina saved Miguel Trauco's penalty in a dramatic shootout at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Friday night as the Colombians booked their place in the final four.

The Arsenal keeper was also called upon in the final minute of normal time when he pushed Christian Ramos' header over the crossbar.

Real Madrid star James, who is married to Ospina's sister Daniela, was full of praise for his teammate: 

"He's a great, I hope he's here for us many more times," he told the press. "I love him a lot, he knows that. Today and always he's been there. I think he's the best."

Colombia will face either Chile or Mexico in the semifinal at Soldier Field, Chicago, on Wednesday, but James insists he has no preference.

"Whichever is fine," he added. "Both are tough and in an instance like this I don’t think you can really choose."

He also played down the importance of playing against Mexico, coached by Colombian Juan Carlos Osorio: "No, why?" he responded at being asked if Osorio's knowledge of his homeland would pose a problem. "It doesn’t mean anything."

Ospina himself was full of confidence after the match, but implored his teammates to stick together as they find themselves two matches from securing only their second Copa America title.

"You have to enjoy because this team is doing very well under the guidance of great coaching staff and this is what we were expecting, but there’s a long way to go.

“It was a very intense game and we knew that penalties were a possibility. We continue working and this good group, this family, will have to stick together, because today we were all together on the pitch."

He also sent a message to the Colombia  fans, who made up the majority of a 79,194 crowd on Friday: “Keep believing in this team because we always go out onto the pitch to do our best.”