Colombia and their immense band of supporters in Russia are not frightened by the prospect of facing England in the World Cup last 16, says David Ospina. It has been a bumpy campaign for Jose Pekerman’s side. It started with Carlos Sanchez getting sent off within three minutes of their opener against Japan, a game they went on to lose 2-1.
But they stood up to the challenge admirably, producing one of the best team performances of the group phase in a 3-0 dismantling of Poland, before grinding out a 1-0 win over Senegal to book their place in the knockout rounds.
“We are a better team than four years ago,” Ospina told reporters. “We are together, more experienced and a stronger squad of players than we were in Brazil.
“We have experience and good quality. Our players play in the best clubs, the best leagues, and are used to playing in matches of this size, so nothing will frighten us.