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Colombia's comfortable win against Poland in Kazan got them off the mark in Group H in the 2018 FIFA World Cup. The goal-scoring was started by Barcelona defender Yerry Mina, who headed home a delicate James Rodriguez cross five minutes before halftime.
Poland failed to exert any substantial pressure and the South Americans added more goals in the second half as Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado scored a brace in a five-minute span to wrap up the win for Los Cafeteros.
Colombia climbed up to three points and third place in their group and only one point separates them from the top two, while Poland remains win-less and are eliminated from the World Cup as the race for landing Round of 16 qualification will be contested by three teams on Matchday 3.
On that note, here is a look at the five best and worst players.
#5 Best - Juan Cuadrado
Juan Cuadrado was electric down the right wing against Poland as he rose to the occasion and delivered in a crunch game. The Juventus winger scored the third goal as he found himself open and obliged to James Rodriguez's stunning pass to seal the three points for Colombia.
Cuadrado was very involved during the entire 90 minutes, creating chances for himself and his teammates. He beat the defenders with his trickery, dribbling and ball movement as he set up a great deal of service for the attackers in the box with his crosses and long balls.
The 30 year old finished with three attempts at goal, five dribbles and an excellent pass accuracy of 95 percent as he completed three key passes. Cuadrado helped out defensively too, tracking back when needed as he made a couple of successful tackles and clearances as well.
#4 Worst - Grzegorz Krychowiak
Much was expected from midfield ace Grzegorz Krychowiak to be the influence in the middle of the park for Poland but he let his team down massively. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder never looked comfortable on the ball and caused too many errors.
Krychowiak's ball distribution turned out to be a major flaw against Colombia as he completed only 75 percent of his total passes and delivered only three successful long balls which left Robert Lewandowski isolated in the box.
Long passing is one of the biggest strengths of Krychowiak's game but his lack of service ended up in a lot of passes being intercepted and wasted that further brought an end to some promising attacking build-up plays.
The 28 year old did a decent job defensively as he completed some successful challenges, but his poor ball movement combined with an absence of composure added up in rattling his teammates and left them in frustration as Grzegorz Krychowiak's poor display played a vital role in Poland getting knocked out of the World Cup.
#3 Best - Yerry Mina
Yerry Mina came under the radar and earned a fair amount of criticism this past season at Barcelona. However, past failures and pressure at a big stage did not faze him as he had a solid outing in his first game of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Mina scored the first goal in the 40th minute, as he found himself open in the box and headed from just six yards out to give Colombia the lead at the break. On the defensive end, the towering defender showed a great deal of energy, put his body on the line for every other challenge and made a number of recoveries.
The 23 year old counted upon his aerial ability and won two aerial duels against Robert Lewandowski and co in his box and was quick to clear out the ball from danger. Yerry Mina also contributed to Colombia's attack on numerous instances and played in several long passes into the opposition box for his teammates.
#2 Worst - Robert Lewandowski
For the second straight game, Poland's captain Robert Lewandowski had yet another frustrating World Cup game. Despite the lack of quality and assistance from his teammates, the 29 year old did manage to pile up 5 attempts at goal but only two shots were on target.
The majority of the blame will go to the rest of the Polish attacking players for their poor service to their star striker, but in a game like that against Colombia where chances were few, it was necessary for Lewandowski also to capitalize on the opportunities he received.
The Bayern Munich forward was nothing but mediocre as he too ruined some of Poland's attacking surge with his inefficient passing and lack of involvement in the build-up as he finished just 70 percent of his total passes.
Lewa was unable to link up with his fellow attackers around the box and his service to them was also questionable as it was unlike of what he usually has provided at club level for a number of seasons.
#1 Best - James Rodriguez
2014 World Cup Golden Boot Winner James Rodriguez was a treat to watch in the final third of the pitch against the Polish. He combined magnificently with his partners in attack , and that allowed each of them to have an equal share of the ball.
Rodriguez put in a delightful cross to the head of Yerry Mina for the opening goal and from then onward the winger eased into the game. He had 2 attempts at goal but he let his passing dictate the game as Colombia asserted their dominance on Poland for long spells.
Playing out wide on the left, James seemed to have no trouble against the three-man defence or the big Polish defensive midfielders as he was able to cut in the box on his left foot with his smooth dribbling and lay it off for the likes of Radamel Falcao and others.
James Rodriguez finished the game with a Man Of The Match performance of 3 key passes, 4 dribbles, an 88 percent pass accuracy and 2 assists, with his second one being a sublime pass that went around and beat 3 Polish players and released Juan Cuadrado on the counter for Colombia's third.
