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When Carlos Sanchez took a shower from the third minute at the opening of the World Cup of Colombia in 2018 against Japan, everything turned out even before he started. Los Cafeteros had the worst start imaginable of his World Cup campaign – 1-0 and reduced to 10 men.
Ninety minutes later, despite a fierce fight, Colombia was sentenced to 2-1 defeats while Japan forced them to run on empty tanks before the end of the match. In the other opening game of the group, Senegal's win over Poland confirmed Colombia's place at the bottom of Group H, an overwhelming condemnation of the group's best team.
Colombian defender Yerry Mina (back C) celebrates with his teammates after scoring against Senegal. AFP
However, as fast as was the capitulation of Colombia against Japan on June 19, their recovery to complete the first round, the winners of their group was just as impressive. Jose Pekerman's team has shown remarkable tenacity and conviction ahead of Japan and Senegal, a feat that seemed impossible just ten days ago.
Quintero, Mina, key to the recovery of Colombia
The resurgence of Colombia was two unlikely sources. While Pekerman had to tinker with his midfield engine room following the suspension of veteran Sanchez's red card, two players stood up and are almost alone responsible for the consecutive victories of Los Cafeteros to close the stage. groups.
It's been almost six years since Juan Quintero made his debut in Colombia and during all these years, the offensive midfielder had fewer than 20 selections for the national team, not quite meeting the expectations after bursting global consciousness in the 2014 World Cup with his first goal Colombia. It may have taken Quintero four years to rediscover his magic, but he has timed it well.
Quintero was the most influential Colombian player in Russia, ahead of the most vaunted Radamel Falcao and James Rodriguez. It was his free kick goal against Japan that briefly triggered a Colombian comeback before things fell flat, and it was his playing abilities that carried Los Cafeteros in the knockouts. . The player of 5 – 6 with a left-foot baton currently leads the World Cup badistants standings and has had more key pbades than any of his teammates
No wonder the winner against Senegal is the result of the expert delivery of Quintero corner kick. This delivery was powerfully led by Yerry Mina, another of Colombia's ill-intentioned stars who made all the noises. Mina was not even in the starting lineup for this Japan match, but it was her presence in subsequent matches that could have reversed the trend in favor of Colombia.
After his two strikes against Poland and Senegal, Mina is now the top scorer of this World Cup, suggesting that, like Quintero, the Peripheral Stars played a role in the Pekerman team by reaching the round of 16
Mina 's presence at the center also coincided with the return to the form of Davinson Sanchez, who looked fragile against Japan alongside the experienced Oscar Murillo. The partnership of Mina and Sanchez at the back has now allowed Colombia to keep consecutive white sheets. Moreover, in their last two games, Colombia has conceded only five shots against six for Japan alone
No James, no problem
"What I can say, it is that I am extremely Pekerman said about James Rodriguez at his post-game press conference.
Pekerman felt that the injury of Rodriguez him had lost the lead in the first half., the 68-year-old from Argentina will rejoice at the way the other members of his team have committed Quintero and Mina aside, goalkeeper David Ospina has also been A Zen figure at the back, his calm and serene disposition in front of the goal helped settle nervous moments, while his experience clearly helped Mina and Sanchez in front of him.
With their match against the. England in the round of 16, Pekerman would have liked his superstars to be in great shape, but the best form of support is something more than what he would have negotiated. Falcao was among the goals but the Monaco man often plowed a solitary groove up. However, with Quintero behind him, expect the captain to hang up a few needle balls and eventually finish them off.
England could rejoice in finishing second in its group, but Colombia is more than household names in their team. With Quintero, Mina and Ospina in top form, and the mercurial Luis Muriel also bearing an advantage, Colombia has a bunch of little-known stars that could do more damage than what seems to the eye. At the end of all this, Los Cafeteros have every reason to believe in their ability to beat any team as they head for the knockouts.
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