Wasteful Colombia booked the final place in the World Cup last 16 with a deserved 1-0 victory over a toothless Ghana on Friday.
The South Americans dominated throughout at Arrowhead Stadium, registering eight shots on target, but had only Jhon Arias’s early strike to show for their superiority.
They will now face Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday, with a place in the quarter-finals at stake.
Ghana threatened inside the opening minute when Thomas Partey’s fierce effort flashed narrowly wide, but it proved a false dawn for the Black Stars, who struggled to trouble Colombia for the remainder of the contest.
Colombia were forced into an early reshuffle after Jhon Cordoba limped off with an apparent groin injury, making way for Luis Suarez.
Minutes later, Ghana also suffered an injury setback as Marvin Senaya was replaced by Alidu Seidu.
The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when Suarez showed great determination to keep the ball alive on the right before crossing for the unmarked Arias, who guided his finish beyond Lawrence Ati Zigi.
The goal left Carlos Queiroz’s Ghana side, who had scored only twice in the group stage, with a mountain to climb.
Roared on by a vocal Colombian support in Kansas City, Nestor Lorenzo’s side continued to dictate possession, moving the ball with confidence and creativity in search of a second goal.
Luis Diaz should have doubled the lead six minutes before half-time but scuffed his effort wide after finding space inside the penalty area.
Ati Zigi then produced an excellent save in first-half stoppage time, diving low to keep out Johan Mojica’s downward header.
The statistics at the break underlined Colombia’s dominance. Ghana failed to register a shot on target and completed fewer than half as many passes as their opponents, yet remained only a goal behind.
Colombia continued to create chances after the restart but lacked the clinical edge to put the game beyond doubt.
Diaz had a goal ruled out for offside before firing another effort straight at Ati Zigi, while Juan Quintero curled narrowly wide as the clock wound down.
Ultimately, Arias’s early strike proved enough against a Ghana side that failed to muster a single effort on target throughout the match.
Diaz, who was named player of the match, said Colombia’s performances were improving but acknowledged they needed to be more ruthless in front of goal.
“We’re just missing that little detail of finishing a bit better and staying composed,” he said. “I think we played a very solid game.”
The Bayern Munich winger, who scored 15 Bundesliga goals last season, also admitted he had passed up chances to add to the scoreline.
“I had opportunities to score,” he said. “The confidence I want to have isn’t quite at 100 per cent yet.
“I’m trying to improve with every game. I felt much better today than I did in the previous match, without a doubt.”
AFP
