Colombia, ranked No. 3 in the world, defeated Paraguay 2-1 on Tuesday night at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.
Advertisement
The United States bounced back from a shutout loss to Colombia in their Copa America opener by blanking Costa Rica 4-0 on Tuesday and will now try to defeat a winless Paraguay team Saturday in Philadelphia.
Designated as Colombia’s captain, Rodriguez takes the responsibility of servicing set pieces and stepping up to take penalty kicks.
“Paraguay played really well”. Graham Zusi, who replaced Wood in the 70th minute, confirmed the victory with a handsome solo goal three minutes before the end.
Cristian Zapata won a corner after his header was blocked, and James delivered a flawless ball for Bacca to head home the opener.
Following another corner just seconds later, the ball was played from James to Carlos Bacca and his header was powered in for a goal to draw Colombia first blood, in what turned out to be a attractive set piece and to give Los Cafeteros a 1-0 lead. “But when the first goal came we kept pushing for the next one and the next one”.
Overall, there was an assertiveness, a strutting self-belief, that had been entirely absent in the 0-2 loss to Colombia.
Paraguay made things hard for Colombia in the second half as substitute Victor Ayala pulled a goal back with a stunning strike, but a red card to Oscar Romero dented their chances of finding an equaliser.
Carlos Bacca was instrumental in Colombia’s performance in the first half. Rodriguez then scored with an exceptional shot after a long scramble in the box in the 30th minute. After Wood was given a penalty after being pushed in the back by Gamboa, Dempsey calmly converted from the penalty spot for his 50th worldwide goal. “Here I always want to play, and I am happy because I always want to help, and today I was able to”.
In the 70th minute, Paraguay finally got their first goal from Ayala.
Colombia shot-stopper David Ospina hardly touched the ball in the opening half, and a Robert Piris Da Motta strike was the only shot they had on goal in the opening 22 minutes, but even that was blocked by defender Jeison Murillo. Seconds later, James also a had a chance to score Colombia’s third but his shot went wide of Villar’s goal.
Colombia need only to draw against Costa Rica on Saturday to assure themselves of first place, leaving them a potentially easier quarter-final against the runner-up from Group B, which contains Brazil, Ecuador, Haiti and Peru.
Advertisement
Clint Dempsey played a part in three of the United States’ goals, with two assists and one goal.
