Played at Estadio do Maracana, Rio de Janeiro.
Colombo (Rodriguez 2 - 23* , 50*): Uruguay 0
A very bright looking Columbia out gunned and out witted shell shocked Uruguay still leaking the wounds of Suarez suspensions with a comfortable margins of 2-0. The goals were scored by their goal machine James Rodriguez one in each half. The first goal from about 25 meters distance was thought to be the best of the tournaments so far.
Columbia will now lock horns with Brazil. In the all South American derbies today two of them first Chile and then Uruguay got knocked out leading to the way of another South American duet in the quarter finals.
After Brazil Chile duel earlier on the day two other South American giants -Colombia and Uruguay appeared in the historic Maracana stadium with head-to-head record looking played 38, Colombia Wins 11, Draws 9, and Uruguay Wins 18. Uruguay for wrong reasons stormed the media over Suarez suspension for biting incident in the match against Italy. Uruguay had the sweet memory of winning the world cup in the same venue burning the hopes of the host in 1950.
Uruguay’s legendary striker Diego Forlan stepped in to fill the void left by Luis Suarez’s suspension up front. The 2010 Golden Ball winner is as experienced as they get at this level and he was required to help make the difference against a Colombian defence that has conceded just twice so far.
Uruguay survived in the group of death while Italy and England had early exit finishing second to surprise package Costa Rica. Colombia cruised to the top of the group C with three straight wins. They scored 9 goals in three matches of the group through 6 different players. Uruguay scored 4 of which their hero turned villain Suarez alone scored two.
Colombia and Uruguay’s only previous World Cup encounter was in the group stages of the 1962 tournament; the Celeste won 2-1 despite Colombia opening the scoring. It is Colombia’s only previous game against a fellow South American team at the World Cup.
Uruguay won their first five World Cup games against South American teams but has lost their last two (v Brazil in 1970 and Argentina in 1986). The last nine encounters between Colombia and Uruguay have produced 32 goals; an average of 3.6 per game. Colombia have reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the second time in their history after 1990 when they were knocked out by Cameroon (1-2 after extra-time). Colombia have reached the last 16 of the World Cup for the second time in their history after 1990 when they were knocked out by Cameroon (1-2 after extra-time). It’s also the first time that Colombia have finished top of their group at the World Cup.
Colombia has won as many games at this year’s World Cup (3) as they did in their previous 13 games in the competition (3). Uruguay has won two of the three World Cups that they’ve played on South American soil (1930, 1950). Luis Suarez has missed two games at the World Cup since 2010.
Both were defeats for Uruguay (Netherlands in the 2010 semi-final and Costa Rica in the 2014 group stages).
In a fast and furious competitive match the teams displayed wonderfully attractive football.
Columbians were looking more positive in the opening minutes but as the teams settled the exchanges were evenly shared .Columbia went into lead in 23rd beautiful goal from Rodriguez -his fourth in the four games in the world cup. Perhaps it was the goal of the tournament so far.
It was a wonderfully executed long range thunder bolt which could have beaten the best of the best goal keeper. Immediately after the goal Forlan and Cavani combining well created few half chances for Uruguay. For a while Uruguay dominated the proceeding. The first half score line showed showed Columbia 1 Uruguay 0. The magnificent goal of Rodriguez separated the sides in the evenly contested 45 minutes. He has now scored in each of his last five world cup games. Uruguay otherwise defended well with close man to man marking. But when a competent striker strikes for such a long range with quality drive defenders can hardly do anything.
The second half Columbia dominating with indomitable Rodriguez looking goal hungry like a tiger getting the taste of blood . He scored again in 50 Th Minutes his fifth of this world 2-0. He put his nose ahead of Neymar, Messi and Muller. It was a move engineered by Martinez and advanced by Aguliar. Rodriguez was at the right spot at the right time to deliver.
This Columbian fleet footed striker may make further inroads and may even bury dreams of Brazil when they meet in the quarter finals. He is good from a distance; he is equally good from short range.
Columbian keeper had a reasonably idle day but nevertheless saved a few which came in few and far between. In the final analysis the far better team of the day won. Towards the end of the match Uruguay made some good moves which Osmina saved with reflex actions.
Brazil earlier was stretched to its limits in knocking out Chile and it seems they will have another very difficult Columbian team to handle. For the first time in the history Columbia made it to the Quarterfinals which they so richly deserved. Columbia entered the elite group of eight in World Cup 2014. They have brilliant individuals, depth, look dangerous in counter attacks. Brazilians will have lot to worry.
Uruguay will go home. The blues will disappear in the blues of the oblivion. Fall of yet another former another World Champion after fall of Romans, English and Spanish in the first round.
Teams:
Columbia: D. Ospina, J. Zúñiga, C. Zapata, M. Yepes, P. Armero, Cuadrado, A. Aguilar, Sánchez, , Rodriguez, Gutiérrez, J.Martínez
Uruguay: F. Muslera, M. Cáceres, J. Giménez, D. Godín, Á. Pereira, M. Pereira, Gonzalez, E. Arévalo, Rodriguez, E Cavani ,D Forlan.
BDST: 0652 HRS, JUN 0652 HRS, 2014
