Written By George Simon
(June 7, 2016) – Colombia is the first team to qualify to the quarterfinals in this Copa America Centenario 2016 with a win 2-1 against Paraguay, a magnificent first half by the Colombians help them win the game, but Paraguay fought until the end and they will fight for the next round pass in the next game.
The game started with a great Colombia presence, going forward and creating chances while Paraguay seemed messy in the midfield, giving more possession to the Colombian side. In the 12th minute of the game, Carlos Bacca scored the first goal of the game from a corner kick play, which ended up finding his head and going behind the net.
After the first goal Colombia didn’t play defensive and tried to keep pushing forward to get their second goal and they found it in the 30th minute of the game thanks to a great individual play by Colombian captain, James Rodriguez, who left out the doubts of the injury he suffered against the United States last Friday.
With a 2 goal lead, Colombia seemed to lay down a little bit and that is when Paraguay saw an opportunity to attack and created several chances that were saved by Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina, who had an amazing performance today with several key saves.
Paraguay was going to take one goal back with an amazing long shot by Victor Ayala that went straight to the high left corner of Ospina’s goal, a goal that has got to be the best goal of the Copa America so far.
Colombia took control of the game in the last 10 minutes, after the red card to Paraguayan midfielder, Romero, who got heated with the frustration and was sent off after he grabbed the Colombian player’s jersey.
Colombia will travel this Saturday, June 11, to face Costa Rica in a game were Colombia can give an opportunity to other plays after they sealed their ticket to the next round with tonight's victory, Paraguay by other hand, must beat the United States in the next game to qualify, in a game that surely will be entertaining with both teams wanting to go to the next round, this game will be played in Philadelphia this Saturday, June 11.
The game started with a great Colombia presence, going forward and creating chances while Paraguay seemed messy in the midfield, giving more possession to the Colombian side. In the 12th minute of the game, Carlos Bacca scored the first goal of the game from a corner kick play, which ended up finding his head and going behind the net.
After the first goal Colombia didn’t play defensive and tried to keep pushing forward to get their second goal and they found it in the 30th minute of the game thanks to a great individual play by Colombian captain, James Rodriguez, who left out the doubts of the injury he suffered against the United States last Friday.
With a 2 goal lead, Colombia seemed to lay down a little bit and that is when Paraguay saw an opportunity to attack and created several chances that were saved by Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina, who had an amazing performance today with several key saves.
Paraguay was going to take one goal back with an amazing long shot by Victor Ayala that went straight to the high left corner of Ospina’s goal, a goal that has got to be the best goal of the Copa America so far.
Colombia took control of the game in the last 10 minutes, after the red card to Paraguayan midfielder, Romero, who got heated with the frustration and was sent off after he grabbed the Colombian player’s jersey.
Colombia will travel this Saturday, June 11, to face Costa Rica in a game were Colombia can give an opportunity to other plays after they sealed their ticket to the next round with tonight's victory, Paraguay by other hand, must beat the United States in the next game to qualify, in a game that surely will be entertaining with both teams wanting to go to the next round, this game will be played in Philadelphia this Saturday, June 11.