Colombia vs. Panama lineups, starting 11, team news: Luis Diaz leads Cafeteros in Copa America knockout

On a stunning run of form, Colombia are primed for a title challenge as they begin their 2024 Copa America knockout run against surprise qualifiers Panama in Glendale, AZ on Saturday.

Los Cafeteros are on an amazing 26-game unbeaten run, which dates back to before the 2022 FIFA World Cup, and they had won 10 in a row before a group finale draw with Brazil that sent both sides through to the knockouts.

They are now amongst the top challengers to upset the defending champions Argentina, and all the other contenders will now be buoyed by the fact that Lionel Messi and Co. were on the brink of elimination at the hands of Ecuador before edging a penalty shootout, proving maybe they can be beaten.

Panama qualified for the knockout stage by eliminating the United States in Group C, but will face their toughest challenge yet in this match, and must do so without their captain Adalberto Carrasquilla, who was sent off against the USMNT for a red card and suspended for two games.

LIVE BLOG: Follow along with Colombia vs. Panama in Copa America quarterfinals

Colombia vs. Panama lineups, starting 11, team news

Colombia will be without Crystal Palace midfielder Jefferson Lerma, who is suspended after picking up a second yellow card of the tournament against Brazil in the group-stage finale.

Bologna center-back Jhon Lucumi was injured in the opener blocking a shot by Julio Enciso, and has not played since. The injury is bad enough that defender Davinson Sanchez held up Lucumi's jersey after scoring his goal against Costa Rica, dedicating the strike to his injured teammate.

In the twilight of his career, 32-year-old James Rodriguez started every game of the group stage for Colombia, with three assists so far.

MORE: 2024 Copa America schedule and results, updated LIVE

Colombia starting XI (4-3-3, right to left): Vargas (GK) — Munoz, D. Sanchez, Cuesta, Mojica — Rios, Uribe, J. Arias — J. Rodriguez, Cordoba, Diaz.

Injured: Jhon Lucumi (leg, doubt)
Suspended: Jefferson Lerma
On a yellow: Machado, Rios, Cordoba

Panama are still without suspended captain Adalberto Carrasquilla, who was given a straight red card late in the win over the United States for a hideous kick on Christian Pulisic. The incident was bad enough that he was given an additional game by CONMEBOL on top of the automatic one-game suspension for a red card.

Jose Fajardo had two goals in the group stage to lead Panama, starting at striker over Eduardo Guerrero . Goalkeeper Orlando Mosquera has not kept a clean sheet, but head coach Thomas Christensen refused to make a change to the more experienced Luis Mejia .

Panama starting XI (5-4-1, right to left): Mosquera (GK) — Murillo, Farina, Cordoba, Miller, E. Davis — Blackman, Martinez, Welch, Barcenas — Fajardo.

Injured: None.
Suspended: Adalberto Carrasquilla (red card).
On a yellow: Murillo, Guerrero, Farina, Gondola, Welch.

Colombia vs. Panama live stream, TV channel

Here's how to watch this 2024 Copa America match across selected areas of the world's major regions:

USA: This match will be televised in the United States on FS1, which can be streamed on Fubo . There is also a Spanish-language broadcast available on TUDN and Univision, two channels also accessible on Fubo . Spanish-language streaming is available via ViX .

Canada: The Copa America can be viewed in Canada on TSN channels, while a French-language broadcast of this match is available on RDS.

Australia: The exclusive rights-holder of the Copa America in Australia is Optus Sport.

UK: The entirety of the 2024 Copa America can be found on Premier Sports 1, with streaming on Premier Sports player.

If this game is not available to watch live in your location or if you’re traveling abroad, you can use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). VPNs offer a secure and private online connection, allowing you to bypass geographical restrictions to access your favorite streaming services from any device anywhere in the world.

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