Wasteful Colombia saw off a toothless Ghana side 1-0 to become the final nation to secure qualification for the FIFA World Cup round of 16.
The South Americans utterly dominated the encounter at Arrowhead Stadium and registered eight shots on target, but ultimately had only Jhon Arias’ early strike to show for their tactical superiority. Colombia can now look forward to a high-stakes meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday, with a coveted place in the quarter-finals on the line.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey fizzed a powerful effort just wide in the opening minute, but that proved to be a false dawn for the African nation. Colombia were forced into an early structural change when Jhon Córdoba pulled up with an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suárez. Minutes later, Ghana were forced into a premature substitution of their own when Alidu Seidu came on for the stricken Marvin Senaya.
Colombia broke the deadlock in the 14th minute after substitute Suárez showed great persistence on the right flank before crossing for an unmarked Arias to clinically steer home. That gave Carlos Queiroz’s goal-shy Black Stars, who managed to score just twice during the group phase, a monumental tactical headache.
Colombia, roared on by a fiercely partisan crowd in Kansas City, continued to dictate play, producing fluid, inventive football as they searched for a cushioning second goal. Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz squandered a wonderful opportunity to double Colombia’s lead in the 39th minute, scuffing his shot wide of the post. Early in first-half stoppage time, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi produced a superb reflex save to deny Johan Mojica’s downward header.
The half-time statistics made grim reading for the West Africans — failing to register a single shot on target whilst completing fewer than half of Colombia’s 319 completed passes — yet they somehow remained in the contest.
Colombia made incredibly hard work of the second period, repeatedly squandering a succession of clear-cut opportunities to finish off their opponents. Díaz put the ball in the net but was correctly flagged offside, before striking another shot straight at Ati-Zigi. As time ticked down, Juan Quintero flashed a powerful drive wide, but one goal ultimately turned out to be enough against a toothless Ghana side that failed to muster a single shot on target over the 90 minutes.
Díaz, named man of the match, insisted Colombia are improving game by game, though he freely admitted they need to be far sharper in front of goal.
“We’re just missing that little detail of finishing a bit better and staying composed,” the winger reflected. “I think we played a very solid game.”
The winger, who netted 15 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern last season, also conceded that he lacked personal composure in the penalty area.
“I had distinct chances to convert,” he said. “That confidence I want to have isn’t quite at 100 per cent yet. I’m trying to improve game by game. I felt much better in today’s match than in the previous one, without a doubt.”
AFP