Colombia knock out Ghana. Are they a serious threat to the World Cup’s giants?
Colombia go marching on.
They may not be the most celebrated South American representative at this World Cup but Nestor Lorenzo’s side are quietly building a formidable reputation and should be considered a serious threat at this tournament.
They defeated Ghana 1-0 on Friday, but that scoreline did not reflect their dominance as they secured a place in the last 16. They will face Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Oliver Kay and Thom Harris dissect the big talking points from Kansas City.
How far can Colombia go?
It hasn’t been easy to judge the leading teams so far at this World Cup, since the 48-team format and the seeding system have large kept them apart.
But Colombia won their first two matches and then dominated Portugal (albeit in a 0-0 draw) in their final group game. The positive impression made to this point in the group stage was strengthened by another assured performance to beat Ghana more comfortably than the scoreline suggests.
How good are they? Good enough to be considered favourites to beat Switzerland in the round of 16. Good enough, perhaps, to feel they could trouble Argentina if it ends up an all South American quarter-final. They have only reached the quarter-finals once before — in Brazil in 2014 — but that looks like a realistic objective for an experienced team with a strong defence and incisive attacking players like Luis Diaz, in particular.
If there is a concern, it is that they have not scored as many goals as their performances have merited. They dominated possession against DR Congo but were grateful to win 1-0 thanks to a deflected goal in the 76th minute. They had 26 attempts on goal against Portugal but drew 0-0. Here they took an early lead but were not ruthless enough to kill off Ghana’s hopes completely. That is something to work on.
Oliver Kay
How are Colombia fans taking over World Cup stadiums?
Colombia’s players must have known from the moment they approached their hotel on Thursday afternoon that this was going to feel like another home game.
Their supporters had lined the streets to greet them, blowing horns and singing songs, and they kept up that fervour all evening and then all day today, bringing a bit of Bogota — and a lot of yellow — to Kansas City.
Colombia fans took over Kansas City’s Arrowhead Stadium (David Ramos/Getty Images)
It was a similar story last week in Miami, which is home to a huge Hispanic community, but Colombia are backed in huge numbers everywhere they go. Demand for tickets for their matches has been among the highest for all teams at this tournament — both from within the U.S. and from Colombia.
Their journey will continue in Vancouver, where the Colombian fans are certain to outnumber their Swiss counterparts next Tuesday.
Oliver Kay
Were Ghana too passive?
There is no doubt that Carlos Queiroz knows how to set up a stubborn defensive block; just ask Thomas Tuchel and his England players, who were frustrated by Ghana in a stodgy 0-0 draw last week.
That was clearly the game-plan again tonight, aware that they would not be able to take on Colombia at their high-tempo passing game. But having ceded two-thirds of possession to their opponents in the first half, failing to direct a shot on target throughout the entire game, you can’t help but feel that they were a little tame in the Kansas City heat.
Defending in a back five, Antoine Semenyo was the spark up top, the only forward really able to take on his man and inject a little pace into their rare forays forward.
Jordan Ayew started up front for a fourth consecutive game, and while his capacity to press from the front and win fouls is clearly appreciated by his manager, a return of precisely zero shots and just one touch in the penalty area across his entire tournament was simply not enough.
Jordaw Ayew did not offer a goal threat for Ghana (Juan Mabromata/AFP via Getty Images)
Queiroz did have options on the bench. He introduced the pacey Abdul Fatawu just after the hour mark, but tricky winger Kamaldeen Sulemana and dynamic centre-forward Brandon Thomas-Asante remained uncalled. As time ticked away and Ghana desperately searched for a goal, they resorted to long passes and hopeful balls forward that could not be capitalised on against a fiery Colombian defence.
To their credit, Ghana kept the score down and competed until the last blast of the referee’s whistle. But there may be a tinge of regret that they didn’t fully let the handbrake off.
Thom Harris
How did the World Cup produce another unlikely hero?
In full-flow — as they were for large parts of the first half — Colombia are a joy to watch. Rampant full-backs Daniel Munoz and Johan Mojica push high, while veteran creator James Rodriguez drifts across midfield and livewire winger Luis Diaz fizzes with energy on the flanks. They pop the ball about with real tempo, looking to draw the opposition in before hitting onrushing wide-players with long balls into the flanks.
Gustavo Puerta and Jhon Arias are the unsung heroes in midfield, constantly darting into spaces to pick up the ball, working incessantly to take players away from Rodriguez in the middle. They are the beating heart of Colombia’s swirling rotations, even if they aren’t often on the end of that final cross.
Here in Kansas City, Arias finally got his reward. Puerta darted out wide in the build-up to open up space for Luis Suarez to drive into, whose cross found Arias lurking at the back post and he steered in a neat cushioned shot.
Colombia’s Jhon Arias puts his side ahead (Odd Andersen/AFP via Getty Images)
Premier League fans may be familiar with the 28-year-old, playing just half a season at Wolverhampton Wanderers on their way to relegation before instantly returning to Brazilian football. But Arias is a different player for the national team, a zippy midfielder who has made a specialist role his own.
Thom Harris