Despite missing Radamel Falcao, Colombia still start strong favourites today against Greece in the second match of group C. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2.00am (AEST).
Colombia have suffered a huge blow ahead of their World Cup campaign with Monaco striker Falcao ruled out of the World Cup through injury.
Falcao has enjoyed a steady rise in world football and is now know as one of the best strikers on the planet. His presence upfront will be sorely missed if Colombia manage to progress to the knockout stages.
Falcao’s absence however should not be used as an excuse if Colombia fail to progress past the group stage. They still have a great squad filled with plenty of talent.
Given that the World Cup is in Latin America, Colombia will fancy their chances of progressing deep into the tournament even without Falcao leading the line.
Jackson Martinez and James Rodriguez will be the players tasked with sparking Colombia’s attack to life against Greece. The Greeks will go a long way to keeping Colombia at bay if they can keep the preceding duo quite.
Greece are a solid if unspectacular team at the best of times. They showed however that you don’t have to play spectacular football to win tournaments as evidenced by their shock 2004 Euro championship victory.
The longer today’s game stays close, the better it will be for the Greeks. Colombia can grow frustrated at times and should be expected to take plenty of risks to penetrate a stubborn Greek defence.
Colombia though do possess the talent to secure a good win today. If they do score first, expect the likes of Martinez, Zuniga and Rodriguez to dominate against Greece.
Colombia to win 2-0
jamesb
Guest
Gekkas should never play for Greece again. And A-league clubs shouldn't bother signing him either.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Disappointed with that game. Expected much more from Colombia. When they looked interested & showed a willingness to move forward they looked good. Shame that too often they lumbered & took poor options. Also COL's constant diving is very irritating. The ref from the USA did a terrific job to wave them away. Having said that, Greece have themselves to blame for not showing more enterprise in the 1st half. 2nd half was even. Don't know how Gekkas missed that goal - open goal; GK beaten, ball delivered perfectly & he crashes it into the crossbar. Pretty certain Greece could have had 3 penalties - one handball, and twice a GRE player's legs were chopped in the box. Let's see what CIV & JPN offer. So far, Colombia the least impressive of the 4 Sth/Central American nations that have all won.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
now for a one hour cat nap before Uruguay vs Costa Rica, which should be a beauty
Mister Football
Roar Guru
good call Alan
Mister Football
Roar Guru
I liked Cuadrado's game today as well, down the right, provider for two of the goals, and as Greece went forward in numbers looking for an unlikely goal, how often was he out there on his own ready for the counter
Alan
Roar Guru
Colombia comfortable winners in the end over the Greeks. Colombia were not at their spectacular best but still got the job done. Will need to improve to keep the likes of Japan and Ivory Coast at bay. Colombia though off to the perfect start and they are certainly capable of progressing deep into the tournament. Greece had their chances with Kone and Gekas coming close to scoring for the Greeks. Once again though Greece struggle to score a goal and the World Cup not a happy hunting ground for them. Colombia 3 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Colombia played the ball along the top of the box from right to left, Cuadrado gave the slightest of back heels, Rodrigues had to time to line it up on his left, through the legs of the Greek defender, neatly tucked away Colombia's biggest ever win in a world cup
Alan
Roar Guru
Good play from Colombia as Rodriguez finds the bottom left corner of the net with a left footed strike. Good build-up that involved Rodriguez and Cuadrado. FULLTIME Colombia 3 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Goal!!!!!
Alan
Roar Guru
93' - Great crowd in and the majority will go home happy as Colombia seal their fourth World Cup victory with a win over Greece. Its just the start they needed with more challenging games coming up against Japan and Ivory Coast. Greece certainly had their chances. GOAL COLOMBIA Colombia 3 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Colombia clearly had Greece worked out from the start, confident they wouldn't get breached, they'd only need a few chances to take the 3 points
Alan
Roar Guru
91' - Colombia on the attack. They play the ball back though. Throw for Colombia. They have been solid without being spectacular. Watch this space. They will cause plenty of teams trouble at their best. Goal kick for Colombia. Colombia 2 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Martinez just fails to link up with Cuadrado, who has been very busy down Colombia's right this half
Alan
Roar Guru
89' - Samaras with another good run as he beats several defenders but Colombia with enough numbers back to clear the danger. Colombia with possession. Martinez' pass however goes out for a throw Colombia 2 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
this will represent 6 defeats for Greece out of 7 WC games
Alan
Roar Guru
87' - Jackson Martinez fouled. Colombia with room for improvement and they will need it against more dangerous teams like Japan and Ivory Coast. Colombia 2 Greece 0
Alan
Roar Guru
85' - Samaras shoots low and the ball just wide of the left post! Ospina probably had it covered but it was a chance.... CHANCE GREECE Colombia 2 Greece 0
Mister Football
Roar Guru
another shocking Greek pass this has been a poor half for Greece I think they have deteriorated since the first half do not deserve anything out of this game although Samaras just went wide with a low shot from edge of box
Alan
Roar Guru
84' - Greece build from the back. Time a real enemy here for Greece. Colombia go forward now. I still think Colombia played within themselves today compared to what I have seen from them during the qualifiers. Colombia 2 Greece 0
Alan
Roar Guru
82' - Greece with possession. They have had their chances no doubt with Gekas going closest to scoring after his header hit the bar right in front. Colombia 2 Greece 0