Colombia has been exceptional thus far, displaying a dominance in its group that has been absent for many teams this World Cup. Goals from Cuadrado, Martinez, and James Rodriguez ensured Colombia would have all 3 wins, all 9 points.
Missed opportunities will haunt the Japanese as they had plenty of chances to put one in the back of the net. The Colombians did too, and they struck first by capitalizing on Juan Cuadrado’s made penalty kick, drawn by Adrian Ramos. Up by one, Colombia had at least two more instances where a penalty kick could be argued in their favor, but the ref continued play.
It seemed as though the half was over, until Shinji Okazaki headed home a great cross by Keisuke Honda to make the score level at 1 – 1.
However, Colombia gained the upper hand at the moment James Rodriguez subbed in for Cuadrado. A true number 10, Rodriguez provided the feed to Jackson Martinez in the 55th minute, who slotted it in to finally end his goal drought for the nation. Scoring an average of 15 goals for club F.C. Porto since 2012, Martinez could never do the same for country—until today. Martinez had a couple more chances and scored again with 8 minutes left.
Whether it was Colombia’s improved offense or Japan’s unorganized defense, there was a shift since halftime, and it looked like whatever coach Jose Pekerman said in the dressing room moved the players.
With 1 minute left in regulation, James Rodriguez capped off a fine performance by the South Americans with a beautiful goal himself, to make it 3 goals in 3 matches on the biggest stage of soccer. At 22 years old, the AS Monaco man is surely making a name for himself as an attractive option for premier soccer clubs in Europe.
Look out for a Colombian side that could prove to go far in this tournament, with young and capable stars.
Colombia faces off Uruguay on Saturday, a side that might be without superstar Luis Suarez after another biting controversy.
Photo Credit: Jorge Silva/Reuters
