Colombia put on a clinical performance Saturday in easily dispatching a Luis Suarez-less Uruguay squad 2-0 to advance to the quarterfinal stage for the first time in the nation’s history. Enjoying a nearly 3:1 advantage in fan support in the stadium, the Colombian fans were going crazy as its team put on a dominant performance. Uruguay started aging superstar Diego Forlán in Suarez’s place up front alongside Edinson Cavani in a 4-4-2 formation. The Uruguayans were also without captain Diego Lugano, who missed the match due to injury, but somehow managed to pick up a yellow card from the bench in the 77th minute.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez stole the show, scoring both goals in the match, running his tally to five goals and an assist in four matches in this tournament. The first goal in the 28th minute is a potential goal of the tournament candidate, as Rodriguez received a header, took it off his chest, and then smashed a volley off the crossbar into the net. With the goal, the soon-to-be 23 year-old Rodriguez became the youngest man to score in his first four World Cup matches since 1970.
Rodriguez's wonderstrike (as seen from the stands)
Rodriguez doubled Colombia’s lead in the 50th minute following a cross from the left flank that was headed back into the center of the box, Rodriguez finished in front of the goal with his right foot. The budding superstar currently plays his club football for AS Monaco in Ligue 1 following a 45 million Euro transfer last summer from Porto. Even prior to this World Cup, he was already on the radar of several prominent clubs including Arsenal, so after this performance, there is no telling what he could command in the transfer market.
For the Uruguayans, their elimination brings to an end a very disappointing World Cup campaign. After shockingly losing to Costa Rica in the opening match, they rallied to victories over England and Italy, but obviously the story of the tournament was Luis Suarez’s bite of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Inexplicably, both Suarez, his manager, and captain Diego Lugano have all denied that any misconduct took place and have placed the blame on the English and Italian press. Suarez’s statement to FIFA has been released and the level of delusion that it entails is simply breathtaking. Suarez states that he “lost his balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent. At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth.” Given the toughness of the shoulder blade, it is understandable that taking a bite out of it would cause strong pain in one’s teeth.
In a sign of solidarity/delusion, the Uruguyan fans brought Suarez masks to the stadium to show their support for their suspended striker, but following Colombia’s domination of the match, their faces went from this to this.
Without Suarez, Uruguay resembled the squad that struggled mightily without him in the opening match against Costa Rica. Forlán is clearly not the same player that dominated play in the 2010 World Cup, as this version was more of a facilitator for others rather than the one finishing the chances. Despite his pedigree and price tag, PSG’s Edinson Cavani was also unable to take the squad on his back and was rarely a threat in front of goal. Indeed, following the second goal, it was fairly clear to all observers that the Uruguayans were done and had no chance of coming back.
With the win, Colombia advances to play host nation Brazil in a quarterfinal match on Friday July 4, 2014 at 4:00 p.m. EST on ESPN. Given the unevenness of Brazil’s performances in recent matches, including a narrow escape over Chile on penalties, this should be an epic showdown between two South American powers. A perfect way to take a break from your Independence Day barbecues.
