In the closest set of last-16 matc-hes ever at a World Cup, only Jose Pekerman’s Colombia were comfortable victors, sweeping aside a despondent Uruguay 2-0 to cruise into the quarter-finals.
Now, though, comes the real test for ‘Los Cafeteros’ and their Argentine manager as he aims to bring down an expectant nation 200 million-people strong in Brazil, riding a wave of emotion that saw them squeeze past Chile into the last eight. Brazil and Colombia have arrived at the same point by very different means. The pressure and tension which surrounds every game the hosts play is palpable not only within the stadium, but around the entire country.
By contrast, Colombia, having lost star striker Radamel Falcao to a serious knee injury, have played in a more care-free manner which has allowed their flair players, particularly James Rodriguez, to shine.
“Sometimes a team with a lot of potential, if they don’t find the result and they need to win, they can’t play so brilliantly,” coach Pekerman said of Brazil after beating Uruguay. “So the competition becomes interesting because a team with less individual stars can disturb the balance of the other team.”
Another Rodriguez-inspired victory over Uruguay means Colombia are one of only two sides in Brazil to have won all four of their games without the need for extra time.
He has been the star, scoring five of his side’s 11 goals, but they have also only conceded twice.
In a more sombre development, campaigners met in Rio on Wednesday to honour the memory of Colombian footballer Andres Escobar, slain 20 years ago to the day.
The defender was gunned down days after his own goal against hosts the United States knocked his team out of the 1994 World Cup.
His death has been widely blamed on the fury of Colombian drug lords at losing a gambling fortune because of the country’s World Cup exit. Various other theories exist as to why Escobar was killed outside a nightclub in Medellin, which was also hosting a commemoration of his life on the same day.
Alejandro Arenas, coordinator of Colombian NGO Football and Peace said: “Escobar’s death caused so much pain.
“But despite the violence in Colombia people kept playing football as a way to transcend it. Escobar inspired us to use football as a tool constructing social identity, reflecting the country.”
