Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Charles Aránguiz converted a rebound past David Ospina to put Chile ahead in the seventh minute before José Pedro Fuenzalida made it 2-0 four minutes later.

Torrential storms led to a gap of more than two hours between the first and second half, but that did not stop Chile from going on to see out the game and set up a repeat of last year’s final against Argentina at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford in New Jersey on Sunday (June 26).

Argentina, who overcame hosts the United States in yesterday’s other semi-final, beat Chile 2-1 in their opening Group D match earlier this month.

Fuenzalida was the architect of Chile's opener with his cross inexplicably headed back across goal by Colombia forward Juan Cuadrado, allowing Aránguiz to finish from close range.

Four minutes later, Alexis Sánchez turned Colombian defender Santiago Arias on the edge of the penalty area before his shot rebounded against the post to Fuenzalida, who was perfectly positioned to tap home. 

For a while it appeared as though play would be abandoned at half-time with the teams having to return to the venue tomorrow to complete the remaining 45 minutes.

The ground staff, however, were able to set about clearing the excess water from the field following a break in the weather, and after a delay of two hours and 25 minutes, the match resumed.

Colombia strived to force their way back into the game in the second half but their cause wasn’t helped by midfielder Carlos Sanchez, who was sent off in the 57th minute after collecting a second yellow card for a clumsy challenge on Aránguiz.

A slow start ultimately cost them and they will now play the US in the third-place playoff at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale on Saturday (June 25).