With Yerry Mina’s 74th minute header against Senegal, Colombia clinched Group H on Thursday afternoon to set up a last 16 tie with England after Gareth Southgate’s men were defeated 1-0 by Belgium and finished runners-up in Group G.
While the English have faced accusations of purposely throwing the game against the Belgians in a bid to find themselves on a presumably “easier” side of the draw that would pit them against the winner of Switzerland and Sweden in the quarter finals and then Croatia or Russia in the semis - as opposed to having to overcome the likes of France, Brazil and Uruguay - the Three Lions should underestimate Colombia at their peril.
Counting stars such as Mina, James Rodriguez, Juan Cuadrado, Radamel Falcao and Spurs’ Davinson Sanchez among their ranks, in addition to revelations that include playmaker Juan Quintero, Jose Pekermen’s squad is being fancied by many to cause an upset on Tuesday and this confidence has been echoed by their fanatic and loyal fans both in Russia and back home in South America.
This comes despite Bayern Munich’s Rodriguez, brought off after half an hour’s play against Senegal, possibly not featuring against the English or starting from the bench in what will be a chance to avenge a 2-0 Group G France ’98 defeat imposed on the Colombians by goals from Darren Anderton and David Beckham.
“At least let James play half the game” demanded Alvaro Bayter Torres on El Espectador’s Facebook page. “Falcao, Mina, Barrios, Quintero, Cuadrado, Borja and all the national team in our hearts. We win tomorrow!” he ended with an optimism echoed by Elizabeth Cortez. “Colombia continues to fight. God’s blessing is with you! Colombia champions and our boys go all the way!” she boldly stated.
As part of a national daily El Tiempo piece that spoke of Spurs teammates Davinson Sanchez and Harry Kane being pitted against one another “What duel do you speak of?” questioned Carlos Andre Claro before breaking into the Spanish cyber equivalent of uncontrolled laughter i.e. “jajajajajajaja”.
“This year there have been so many surprises that even Colombia will win the cup!!!” proclaimed Luz Marina Londono Botero also on El Tiempo’s social network accounts. “Come on! It’s winning Tuesday. It has to be! No nerves” demanded Nubia Zamira Rivas Peña. “
Lastly, there were naturally references to the aforementioned tie 20 years ago that broke Colombian hearts and eliminated their country from the competition. “They refer to a game that happened two decades ago but lots of water has passed under the bridge and if Colombia isn’t the favourite, then England aren’t such a big thing and it will be our ‘cracks’ that make the difference.” Sara Rojas Barrantes announced.
Later, her countrymen head into what is arguably the most important showdown in their footballing history - especially considering the more simplified route that can be taken to the final in Moscow on July 15 in comparison to the challenges that faced them in Brazil four years ago. There, after a James double sank Uruguay 2-0 in the last 16 and claimed both the Golden Boot and a move to Real Madrid for the playmaker, the Colombians were then knocked out in the quarter-finals by the hosts by way of a cruel 2-1 defeat.
