DHAKA:  Argentina reached the semi-finals of the Copa America, defeating Colombia 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a fiercely contested match finished 0-0 at full-time.

Former Juventus striker Carlos Tevez was the hero for Argentina on Friday, stepping up to ram home the decisive sudden death spot kick after Colombia's Jeison Murillo had blazed over the bar to give the favourites the initiative, reports yahoosports.

Tevez's penalty was the final twist to a dramatic shoot-out which saw Lucas Biglia and Marcos Rojo both miss kicks for Argentina that would have sealed victory.

Argentina's win puts them into a semi-final against the winner of Saturday's quarter-final between Brazil and Paraguay.

BDST: 0821 HRS, JUN 27, 2015
RS