Rodriguez earns Colombia Brazil clash

Helps Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 to reach their first quarterfinals in the World Cup

June 29, 2014 07:30 pm | Updated 07:30 pm IST - RIO DE JANEIRO

James Rodriguez knocked Luis Suarez out of the headlines with an exquisite goal as Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 on Saturday to set up a World Cup quarter-final against hosts Brazil.

Pre-match build-up had been dominated Suarez's four-month ban for biting Italy's Giorgio Chiellini, but by the final whistle in Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium, there was only one name on everyone's lips.

After scoring in every group game, Rodriguez broke the deadlock shortly before the half hour with a breath-taking strike, chesting the ball down and volleying home from 25 metres.

The 22-year-old Monaco playmaker added a second early in the second half, sending him to the top of the scorers chart with five goals and confirming his status as a World Cup hot property.

 

First time ever

Rodriguez's goals took Colombia into the quarter-finals for the first time, meaning the northern Brazilian city of Fortaleza will turn completely yellow when Jose Pekerman's side play the hosts on July 4.

On the prospect of facing Brazil, Rodriguez said: "They're a tough team, they have great players, and they also have their history. But we have to go out onto the pitch looking to win, as we've always done."

Uruguay's fans sported Suarez masks and brandished banners in support of their wayward star, who flew home to Montevideo on Friday, while his shirt was hung up in the Uruguay changing room.

But they endured a night of disappointment on their return to the Maracana, scene of the country's seismic 2-1 win over Brazil in the deciding game of the 1950 World Cup.

 

"The (first) goal was 100 percent the work of the player who scored it. It was one of the greatest goals of this World Cup," said Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez.

"We have to accept defeat, congratulate Colombia, and wish them well, as a South American team, in the rest of the tournament."

Diego Forlan replaced Suarez for Uruguay, while Pekerman sprang a surprise by selecting two centre-forwards in Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez.

Vamos Rodriguez

Although Martinez lined up on the left flank, there was no lack of ambition to Colombia's play. Uruguay were content to cede possession to their opponents, sitting deep on the edge of their own box, but their defences were breached in the 28th minute by a goal of jaw-dropping splendour.

After Abel Aguilar saw a chipped pass cleared back to him, he headed the ball up to Rodriguez, who was standing just outside the penalty area.

The (first) goal was 100 percent the work of the player who scored it. It was one of the greatest goals of this World Cup...

Rodriguez, who has now scored in each of his last six international games, celebrated with appropriate abandon, screaming 'Vamos!' at the hordes of jubilant yellow-shirted fans in the front-row seats.

Uruguay set about trying to wipe out the deficit, but Edinson Cavani's free-kick narrowly cleared the bar and Alvaro Gonzalez was foiled by a full-length parry from Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina.

Colombia doubled their lead five minutes into the second half with a fine team goal.

Pablo Armero's deep left-wing cross was headed down by Cuadrado and Rodriguez swept home his second of the night from close range. Ospina kept Uruguay at bay thereafter, parrying shots from Gonzalez, Cristian Rodriguez and Cavani and saving bravely from Maxi Pereira.  

Four years after reaching the semi-finals in South Africa, Uruguay's World Cup ended at the scene of their greatest triumph.

Rising star

Playmaker James Rodriguez may be just 22, but he is on the fast track to becoming a World Cup star and Colombian football legend.

Even injured countryman Radamel Falcao and basketball superstar LeBron James were in awe over his double which lifted Colombia to their first ever World Cup quarter-final, 2-0 over Uruguay.

The first goal, a 25m volley, was arguably the best goal of the tournament.

“By far the best goal in the World Cup, the one that James just scored,” Colombia’s injured superstar Radamel Falcao wrote onTwitter during the match.

When Falcao was definitively ruled out for the tournament in the wake of a ruptured cruciate knee ligament, Colombia seemed lost in their return to the World Cup they have not played since 1998. But James has played a major part to defy the odds and has been reaping praise from all quarters since his first World Cup match, on June 14, a 3-0 win against Greece.

A 2-1 over Ivory Coast followed, and a 4-1 against Croatia, before Saturday’s heroics which put him top of the scorers’ chart with five goals.

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