Jhon Arias goal sends Colombia into World Cup last 16 with 1-0 win over Ghana
Jhon Arias scored the only goal as Colombia defeated Ghana 1-0 on Friday to set up a last-16 clash with Switzerland in Vancouver.
Early drama and a quick goal
Colombia's plans were disrupted in the seventh minute when striker Jhon Córdoba clashed with Jerome Opoku and suffered a suspected hamstring injury. Luis Suárez, the Sporting forward who scored 28 goals in Portugal last season, came on and immediately made an impact. In the 14th minute, Suárez found space and crossed for Jhon Arias to score from close range. Ghana had earlier threatened through Thomas Partey, whose shot whistled past the post in the second minute.
Ghana's creative void
Without Tottenham's Mohammed Kudus, Ghana lacked the invention to break down Colombia. Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi kept the score respectable with three saves, but Carlos Queiroz's side rarely looked like equalizing. A distraught Marvin Senaya was also forced off after an incident with Luis Díaz, who appealed for a penalty but appeared to dive. The Black Stars, playing their first knockout match since the 2010 quarterfinal heartbreak, struggled to create clear chances.
Colombia's dominance and a disallowed goal
Colombia controlled the match and thought they had a second in the 56th minute when Díaz finished, only for the offside flag to rule it out. The South Americans managed the game professionally, securing only their second ever knockout-stage win in World Cup history. Manager Néstor Lorenzo, who consults his 89-year-old mother before matches, saw his team through.
She hasn't given me any specific instructions for this match, but she is always attentive and following it with love.
Historical echoes and what's next
The match fell on the 16th anniversary of the infamous Suárez handball that denied Ghana a semifinal in 2010. This time, a different Suárez helped eliminate the Black Stars. Colombia now face Switzerland in the last 16 in Vancouver on Tuesday, with a chance to match their 2014 quarterfinal run. The yellow-shirted Colombia supporters vastly outnumbered their Ghanaian counterparts, reflecting the South Americans' growing confidence. Colombia were deserved winners and look more than capable of at least matching their previous best result at the 2014 World Cup when they reached the last eight.
