Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast: Colombia's spirit
Colombia showed why they are highly rated at the 2014 World Cup when they continued to defeat Ivory Coast with a score of 2-1. With 6 points after 2 matches, the South American team is considered to have secured a ticket to the next round in Group C.
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| Colombia deserved victory |
GOAL:
Colombia:James Rodriguez (64'), Juan Quintero (70')
Ivory Coast:Gervinho (73')
Having both won all 3 points in their opening matches, both Colombia and Ivory Coast started the match cautiously and slowly. The South American team organized a tight game in their home field to take advantage of the speed of their forward players in counter-attacks. Meanwhile, Ivory Coast used a lot of long passes.
Both teams were very loyal to their chosen style of play and had some chances in the first half. However, they were both clumsy and awkward in the final moments. Typical of the missed chances in the first half was the situation where Teofilo Gutierrez was alone in front of the Ivory Coast goal but missed the ball.
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After a slow first half, the two teams increased the tempo in the next 45 minutes. Colombia was the team with more positive changes when their attacks on both wings were effective. In the 60th minute, Cuadrado had a diagonal shot that hit the Ivory Coast post and went out. But Colombian fans did not have to regret for too long because just 4 minutes later, Cuadrado himself took a corner kick for James Rodriguez to jump high and head the ball into the Ivory Coast net. Colombia continued to have joy in the 70th minute when they took full advantage of their opponents' mistakes. From Serey Die losing the ball in the middle of the field, Gutierrez initiated a quick counter-attack for substitute Juan Quintero to finish delicately, beating goalkeeper Barry to increase the score to 2-0.
The huge advantage allowed Colombia to return to their signature defensive counter-attacking style. After allowing Gervinho to dribble freely and equalize 1-2 in the 73rd minute, Colombia played with more concentration. The South American team's mettle was shown at the right time when they successfully neutralized all attempts to approach the Ivory Coast's goal, both from individual breakthroughs and through balls into the penalty area. Not only that, Colombia almost increased the gap if Quintero's shot from midfield had not been brilliantly neutralized by Barry.
Winning 2-1, Colombia has 6 points after 2 matches and is considered to have a ticket to continue in Group C. Meanwhile, with the rather disjointed playing style shown in this match, Ivory Coast will have to try very hard in the final match against Greece if they do not want to leave the 2014 World Cup early.
LINE-UP
Colombia:Ospina; Armero (Arias 72'), Yepes, Zapata, Zuniga, Sanchez Moreno, Aguilar (Mejia 78'), Ibarbo (Quintero 53'), Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Gutierrez.
Ivory Coast:Barry; Boka, Bamba, Zokora, Aurier, Die (Bolly 73'), Tiote, Gervinho, Yaya Toure, Gradel (Kalou 67'), Bony (Drogba 60').
