Colombia and Ghana battle for the last remaining Round of 16 berth at the World Cup in Kansas City. The Cafeteros and Black Stars meet in a winner-takes-all encounter that will determine who advances to face Switzerland next Tuesday.
Expected lineups for Colombia-Ghana
Colombia: Vargas – Munoz, Sanchez, Lucumi, Mojica – Puerta, Lerma, J. Arias – Rodriguez, Cordoba, Luis Diaz.
Ghana are beginning to exert some control on proceedings, moving the ball with purpose and exchanging accurate short passes.
Yirenkyi sees yellow after heavy challenge
Rios squanders a golden chance!
Richard Rios meets a cross inside the box and finds himself with space to shoot, but his effort is inaccurate and drifts wide of the left post!
One change on Colombia’s side
James Rodriguez makes way for Richard Rios
Second half underway!
And it’s half-time in Kansas City
Ati-Zigi denies Mojica!
Mojica escapes his marker and connects with a dangerous cross, heading towards the left side of the goal. But a brilliant save from Ati-Zigio deny the Colombian left-back!
6 minutes of added time
Dangerous header from Suarez
A dangerous cross finds Luis Suarez inside the box and he rises to meet it, but his header drifts just wide of the right post!
Luis Diaz so close!
What a strike from Luis Diaz! The Bayern Munich winger connects with a superb volley from the edge of the box that whistles just past the left post.
Ghana’s first corner
Black Stars finally get a corner kick, but their attacking move breaks down immediately. Inaki Williams is picked out on the left side of the box but his pass is easily blocked by the Colombian defence
30 minutes and only 45 passes for Ghana
Defence mode: activated
A sea of yellow
A wall of Colombian color fills the stadium as the Cafeteros’ support base creates a deafening roar with each pass!
The atmosphere intensifies every time Luis Diaz, the pride of Barrancas, ventures forward into Ghana’s box.
Bernadett Szabo, Reuters
Time for a cooling break
Diaz denied by Ati-Zigi!
Diaz receives a low pass just outside the box and strikes a fine effort towards the middle of the goal, but Ati-Zigi produces an excellent reflexive save to block the shot!
Ghana’s dilemma
The Black Stars will be uncomfortable with this situation.
Ghana have built their tournament on defensive solidity and opportunistic counter-attacks, but they can hardly afford to chase this game with their characteristic conservative approach
Goooooooallll
What an immediate impact from Luis Suarez! Jhon Arias is waiting at the back post and finishes clinically past the Ghanian goalie!
Colombia have been one of the tournament’s brightest surprises, topping Group K with a flawless record and playing scintillating football throughout. The Cafeteros secured victories over Uzbekistan (3-1) and DR Congo (1-0) before claiming a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Portugal, establishing themselves as the group’s dominant force. Luis Diaz and his teammates remain unbeaten and arrive in Kansas City brimming with confidence.
Ghana, on the other hand, earned their Round of 32 spot as one of the best-performing third-place finishers, but should not be underestimated. The Black Stars began their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Panama, then held England to a goalless draw in a respectable defensive display. A 2-1 defeat to Croatia prevented them from claiming second place.
The winner of the last round of 32 clash will face Switzerland after their victory against Algeria 2-0.
