Colombia is in the sixteenth! Once again he solved his problems with talent and Congo’s web could not stand the insistence. It was a short 1-0, but fair. Let’s go let’s go!
Once again the national team was local, owner of the famous Minerva in Guadalajara and the stands at the Akron stadium, where the anthem once again resounded to the foundations and faith was lowered without hesitation. The first auction was from the Africans, it is true. But the response was one of those: Lucho’s recovery on the right wing, the precise rebounds opening the ball to the left, Mojica’s projection for the center to Arias, a shot that was deflected by the goalkeeper and the rebound went out to Muñoz, who lamented heartily.
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The first goal disallowed
A cry would come in vain, another play by Muñoz appearing by surprise to score a header that the goalkeeper took, but which was still penalized as offside… due to a shoulder! And one more from Colombia, James’ frontal shot to which the goalkeeper went was with a firm hand, adding points to be a figure.
Colombia faced Congo efe Photo:EFE
A cold wind announced the rain and Mojica appeared with his first shot from outside, again for the goalkeeper to shine. Turn for the shot, from the outside to the inside, so traditional in Díaz that he once again brought out the best in Congo and thus Colombia assumed, from the whistle, its role as favorite, owner of the ball, of the actions, of the house… another day being local in Mexico.
The difference is that this time James came to the game. Now without the hassle of altitude, without fatigue or pain, he was the 10 that asks for it, that touches and goes, that finishes if they give him space and changes front looking for alternatives, the one that exposes his knee knowing that an African attack could hurt him. He played without fear.
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The problem is that, after a hydration break with live mariachi and Cielito Lindo at the top of his lungs, the blink came. Vargas tried his luck by not daring to reject, Bakambú tried him and he responded and Muñoz’s heartbreaking scream summed up the moment: what’s wrong with them!?
Colombia faced Congo efe Photo:EFE
We would have to wait for the complement for Díaz to resolve an atypical inaccuracy in the pass and an indecision at the time of the shot almost inappropriate for one of the best wingers in the world.
The goalkeeper denied Díaz the goal with his leg and Arias lacked the aim to finish and they pulled their hair in the stands, incredulous at such a clear option.
But the people woke up and roared “come on, come on, Colombia, tonight we have to win (there was no time to modernize the repertoire)” and Lorenzo listened to their request… partially: Córdoba replaced an expressionless Suárez and Quintero replaced James, losing the opportunity for a double hit against such a closed defense.
Colombia faced Congo efe Photo:EFE
The effect was immediate: Mojica and Arias tried and it was passed to Muñoz and even in the corner kick they looked for it, thinking about Córdoba’s power. It didn’t come in.
And so, what was going to be the great game of Díaz and James and Suárez on paper ended up being the show of a Mojica who was inexhaustible on the wing in defense and attack, a Lerma very different from the exhausted axis of the debut, Lucumí alive to anticipate and a Dávinson firm in his field, without giving advantages in the duels.
The Colombian victory goal
In general, there was a lack of decision when the tiny spaces opened up that Congo gave, which defended with 11 in its field, lying in wait in case of error. Until talent played its part: Quintero located Córdoba, who felt a touch and dropped down asking for a penalty, while the defender bought and the ball went gently to the feet of Muñoz, whose furious shot raised the stands… dance for his second of the World Cup. Because in Colombia, you know, we dance everything.
For the second time, Díaz fell offside on a deep pass, a sign that it would not be his night, because when he finally scored his goal, the technology caught him slightly offside.
The Colombians and the Africans asked for a penalty in another previous play and Vargas had to show off in the last minute to stretch into a missile that could not bend his hands. Enormous!
We bit our nails but the audience, once again impeccable, withstood the storm. Six points and sixteenths. Hold on, Cristiano, they’re coming for you!
Jenny Gamez
Sports Editor
Guadalajara (Mexico)
@JennyGamezA
