World Cup 2018, Columbia vs Japan: 5 talking points

#4 Quintero free-kick lights up Colombian display

Quintero rolls one below the wall to stun Japan

For a considerable part of the first half, Colombia with a man less played much better than Japan, who was at full strength. The likes of Quintero, Arias, and Cuadrado kept applying the pressure and were faster to recoup after the needless red card. And Falcao their talismanic scorer almost leveled as early as the 12th minute. That was not to be and it was only the brilliance of Quintero’s left boot who improvised to score.

But it was Falcao’s guile that brought them the goal as he won the free-kick that would lead to the goal. Falcao had summoned all his acting brilliance to con the match official only to be thwarted time and again. But it was third time lucky as he won the free-kick against Yoshida, who was his tormentor in chief throughout the game.

Quintero’s presence of mind has to be commended as he waited for the wall to jump before rolling the ball underneath it. Kawashima, the Japanese keeper did his best but couldn’t prevent the ball from sliding into the bottom right corner.

Colombia did bring on James Rodriguez after the half-time in order to pose a more attacking threat. Despite the introduction of the former Madrid man, Colombia was kept at bay from the Japanese goal. Colombia next faces Poland and have given themselves a mountain to climb if they are to escape the group stages.