Slick Colombia down Ivory Coast in cracker
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 20/06/2014 at 09:29 GMT
World Cup Group C, Estádio Nacional de Brasilia, Brasília - Colombia 2 (Rodriguez 64’ Quintero 70’) Ivory Coast 1 (Gervinho 74’)
Colombia celebrate (AFP)
Image credit: AFP
An excellent counter-attacking display from Colombia saw them defeat the Ivory Coast 2-1, despite a late comeback.
The was little of note in an uneventful first half. Both sides were far more competent in defence than in attack, and the midfields of both sides were unable to create many clear cut chances on the counter-attack, an approach they both favoured.
Colombia’s best chance came when James Rodriguez crossed for Teo Gutierrez in the centre, but he somehow managed to simply press down on the ball instead of connect effectively. Earlier in the match the two combined, but Gutierrez dragged his shot wide.
Ivory Coast went closest through Serge Aurier, when evaded Mario Yepes with a couple of stepovers, and had a low shot into the corner stopped by David Ospina.
In the second half, Colombia went close on the hour mark when Juan Cuadrado hit the bar. Minutes later, James Rodriguez’s header put them ahead. Quintero shortly doubled the lead. The flurry of goals continued with Gervinho’s finish at the near post.
Colombia deserves their win, and if Japan do not beat Greece, they will be assured of qualification.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2014/06/19/1261738-27226343-2560-1440.jpg)
Ivory Coast's midfielder Ismael Cheick Tiote challenges Colombia's midfielder Abel Aguilar (L) and forward Victor Ibarbo
Image credit: AFP
KEY EVENTS
6’ - GUTIERREZ CHANCE - Rodriguez backheels a high ball into the path of Gutierrez, but his shot is just wide.
31’ - AURIER CHANCE - Aurier tricks his way inside, past Yepes, but his low shot loses pace on the turf and is easily stopped.
60’ - CUADRADO SHOT - After three or four stepovers, Cuadrado engineers some space to shoot from a tight angle. His powerful shot is tipped onto the crossbar.
64’ - RODRIGUEZ GOAL - Rodriguez meets a corner perfectly, on the edge of the six yard box, and thunders it past the ‘keeper.
70’ - QUINTERO GOAL - Aurier is dispossessed in midfield and the ball is quickly worked towards Quintero, sprinting into space, and he slots the ball past Barry.
73 - GERVINHO GOAL - Slaloming into the box, Gervinho slams a shot towards the near post that Ospina gets a hand to but fails to keep out.
89’ - QUINTERO LOB - As Colombia break, Quintero tries a lob from the halfway line that Barry claws away.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2014/06/19/1261771-27227003-2560-1440.jpg)
Colombia's James Rodriguez (L) celebrates next to teammate Juan Cuadrado (Reuters)
Image credit: Reuters
KEY STATS
This was the first meeting for the first two sides.
Colombia coach Jose Pekerman has yet to lose a match in normal time at the World Cup.
Colombia are taking part for the World Cup for the fifth time - this would be the second time they qualify from the group stages.
Cote d’Ivoire are taking part for the third time, and have never got beyond the group stage.
TALKING POINT
Can England consider themselves favourites if they meet Colombia? A meeting of the two sides is now very possible, and with their verve, excellent counter-attacking ability and defensive experience of Mario Yepes, it is by no means certain that England will not fall apart when faced by Colombia.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Mario Yepes (Colombia): Both James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero deserve credit for their goals and attacking display, but Yepes’ bravery and organisation gave Colombia a sense that they would success when Cote d’Ivoire started chasing the game after their own late goal.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2014/06/19/1261773-27227043-2560-1440.jpg)
Colombia's Abel Aguilar (L) and Mario Yepes (2nd R) fight for the ball with Ivory Coast's Cheick Tiote (2nd L) and Souleyman Bamba (Reuters)
Image credit: Reuters
PLAYER RATINGS
Colombia: Ospina 6, Zapata 6, Yepes 7, Sanchez 6, Armero 6, Aguilar 6, Gutierrez 7, Rodriguez 7, Cuadrado 7, Ibarbo 6, Zuniga 7. Subs: Quintero 7, Arias 6, Mejia 6.
Ivory Coast: Barry 6, Boka 6, Zokora 5, Tiote 6, Gervinho 6, Bony 6, Gradel 6, Aurier 7, Y Toure 6, Serey 7, Bamba 6. Subs: Bolly 6, Drogba 6, Kalou 5.
THE MATCH IN A TWEET
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article