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It is Colombia who will meet Brazil at Fortaleza on Saturday, and it was done in such amazingly simple style. The night was crowned by one of the true great goals of the World Cup, with James Rodriguez giving Colombia a moment to savour.
Uruguay tried, but without their talisman Luis Suarez, lacked the clinical edge to threaten a stern Colombian defence. They will leave for Montevideo to rejoin their banned striker, while for Colombia, they will fancy their chances against a fatigued Brazil on Saturday.
FINAL SCORE:
Colombia 2
Uruguay 0
It’s sudden death football, as Colombia play Uruguay in the second South American clash in the Round of 16. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6:00am AEST.
Like neighbours Brazil, you could forgive both Colombia and Uruguay for getting to Rio and maybe thinking ahead.
In two weeks’ time, the Maracana will host the World Cup final, where both sides are aiming to be. Yet three potential matches come before that, and the first is where the formbook can be thrown out.
Colombia have been the darlings of World Cup 2014, dazzling the public with their array of attacking football, and even more exuberant celebrations. Having lost the sizeable figure of Radamel Falcao pre-tournament, Los Cafeteros have been superbly led at the front by their midfield maestro James Rodriguez.
Aside from contributing three goals from all three group games, Rodriguez has been the talisman for Colombia’s forward momentum, often drifting between lines with consummate ease. Along with making up for Falcao’s absence, he has also carried Colombia’s goal threat while Teofilo Gutierrez has struggled to make an impact.
Colombia are settled with Cristian Zapata the leader at the back, while David Ospina can be confident at keeping his place in goal, despite the sentimental substitution of Faryd Mondragon in the game against Japan. But sentiments and smiles – that’s why Colombia are so loved.
In contrast, their opponents have found themselves as football’s most hated team thanks to the actions of one player.
Luis Suarez was always destined to cause headlines. His superlative performance against England is now a distant memory, as is Suarez, who will likely be pondering his own idiocy from his Salto home. It’s a shame – his talent and ability are better placed on a football field, not the doghouse he now so deservedly belongs in.
With Suarez, Uruguay did just enough to edge past Italy into the last 16. Without him, against a confident Colombia, La Celeste may struggle. But that often can be Uruguay’s strength – when opponents underestimate their sheer will to win.
Edinson Cavani will now return to being his team’s number one force, while Diego Forlan may be restored to help Oscar Tabarez retain his favoured 4-4-2 formation. Diego Lugano may have been the matchwinner against Italy, but his duties now firmly reside in defence alongside Martin Caceres to keep Rodriguez and Co. at bay.
Had Colombia played against a side featuring Luis Suarez, this result would be near impossible to predict – South American affairs always are. Yet Colombia can carry the (temporary) goodwill of the Rio crowd to defeat the loathed Uruguayans, who will know every ounce of what football thinks of them thanks to their problem child.
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