AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca scored the only goal as Colombia defeated the United States 1-0 to clinch third place in the Copa America Centenario here Saturday.

Bacca, 29, bundled home the winner on 31 minutes, nudging in from close range to settle a hard-fought contest.

The US, beaten 4-0 by Argentina in the semi-finals on Tuesday, rallied desperately to get back into the game but ultimately were frustrated by some superb goalkeeping from David Ospina.

It was the second time the US had been beaten by Colombia in this tournament. The Colombians also defeated them 2-0 in the tournament's opening match.

The United States were unlucky not to score during an entertaining game in Arizona.

Colombia had gone closest to scoring first, Real Madrid star James Rodriguez being denied by a fine Tim Howard save on 12 minutes.

Rodriguez was the architect for Colombia's goal just after the half hour mark, chipping a wonderful pass into the path of Santiago Arias, who headed across the six yard box for Bacca to score.

The US responded gamely to the setback however, with Jermaine Jones almost equalising when his shot deflected off Arias and just missed.

Seattle Sounders veteran Clint Dempsey had another good game but was unable to add to his Copa tally of three goals and three assists.

Dempsey almost laid on a goal for Hamburg's Bobby Wood, but the Bundesliga-based striker was unable to get his shot away cleanly.

"Ultimately they were clinical," Klinsmann told reporters. “They took their one chance in the first half -- we couldn't take ours. There were enough chances for us to put one in but we weren't clinical enough.”