The breakout star of World Cup 2014, James Rodriguez, got his first start of the 2018 edition and inspired Colombia’s rise to a vital 3-0 win against Poland.
Rodriguez, 26, produced a delightful first-time cross for Yerry Mina’s headed opener and an incisive pass for his rampant nation’s third through Juan Cuadrado.
Here, we analyse the performance of the Colombia star.
STATISTICS
Goals – 0
Assists – 2
Shots – 2
Shots on target – 0
Touches – 86
Passes – 67
Key passes – 3
Dribbles – 3
Dispossessed – 2
30-SECOND REPORT
Rodriguez simply gets Colombia ticking.
His inability to be present from the off in last week’s opening Group H-reversal to Japan because of injury was almost as damaging as Carlos Sanchez’s third-minute red card.
The tee-ups for Mina and Cuadrado this time were the icing on the cake.
GOT RIGHT
MAKING HIS CLASS COUNT – You cannot doubt the pedigree of this supreme Real Madrid-owned, Bayern Munich playmaker.
The highlight came when he picked up the ball on the left and one pass dissected the retreating Poland defence for Cuadrado’s stunner. This influence will only grow in the matches to come.
EXERCISE IN EFFICIENCY – You would not have known that doubts surrounded Rodriguez’s participation.
The ex-Porto and Monaco star got straight up to speed against the sorry Poles. For Colombia, Rodriguez had the most touches and passes, plus joint most key passes.
His influence is without compare – and so is his efficiency.
10 - Across the last two World Cup tournaments (2014 and 2018), no player has scored more goals (6) or provided more assists (4) than James Rodriguez. Gifted. #POLCOL #WorldCup pic.twitter.com/hFdNqjRkHr
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 24, 2018
KEY MOMENTS
25th min CHANCE: A sweeping pass played in Radamel Falcao on the break, but the striker’s back-heeled pass couldn’t find Cuadrado.
40th min ASSIST: What a delight to behold. Excellent creative partner Juan Fernando Quintero played Rodriguez into space from a corner, an inviting centre then being powered home by Mina.
55th min CHANCE: Colombia’s threat on the counter continued. This time, Rodriguez found Quintero and his shot was blocked.
75th min ASSIST: One of the tournament’s most-enjoyable goals. Colombia broke at lightning pace and Rodriguez was found on the left touchline. He looked up and instantly played winger Cuadrado into the clear, to then apply a picture-book finish with the outside of his boot.
VERDICT
Rodriguez burst into life from the off four years ago, rocketing in six goals during five matches to grab the Golden Boot.
A calf problem forced him to come on as a substitute in last week’s 2-1 defeat to Japan. This time, he rubberstamped his enduring class with two perfect assists.
RATING: 8/10
All statistics are compiled using whoscored.com