Strenghts
In just over seven games at the Brazil and Russia World Cups, Rodriguez has struck six goals and provided four assists. Aged 26, he’s already his country’s joint third all-time top scorer with 21 goals. Colombia’s hopes of advancing to the quarter-finals clearly rest heavily on getting him fit and ready before Tuesday. No player has ever been so influential for the South Americans at a World Cup.
But they are not a one-man team in the same way Argentina’s form is tied to the genius of Lionel Messi, or even Portugal with Cristiano Ronaldo. In particular, England should be worried by the team’s other attacking options. Juan Cuadrado ran riot against Poland, because he was playing against a back three that gifted him the space to get behind Maciej Rybus. Using his pace and nimble footwork, the former Chelsea winger wreaked havoc in the penalty area.
Against Senegal, it was a different story. “We tried to involve Cuadrado as much as possible,” said Pekerman. “But we couldn’t find him due to Senegal’s tactics.” Cuadrado had been smothered, and he was increasingly forced to drop back and make runs from deep. Against England, he will again be up against a back three, and most likely marked by a converted winger in Ashley Young. Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate has been warned.
While Cuadrado is all speed and tricks, Quintero is the team’s brains. Blessed with sublime vision, there are few players at this year’s World Cup as technically gifted as Quintero. He is so good Pekerman shifted Rodriguez from his favoured number 10 role to a position out on the left wing to accommodate both talents. England must also pay particular attention to the 25-year-old’s quality from dead-ball situations. With 6ft 5in centre-back Yerry Mina having already roared home two ferocious headers from Quintero’s pin-point deliveries this tournament, Southgate’s men will have to remain organised and switched on at all times.
Weaknesses
Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina has long been his country’s hero – and has pulled off some wonderful saves at key moments in Russia. But while he remains an excellent shot-stopper, there are holes in his game England can exploit. From both crosses and corners, Ospina looks far from assured under high balls into the box. Against physical teams that get on top of him, he can be put under severe pressure.
No country has scored more goals from set-pieces than England at this tournament, so this could be a major advantage for Southgate’s men. At the opposite end of the field is talismanic striker Radamel Falcao. England did not see the best of the 32-year-old during his two-year spell in the Premier League, but ‘El Tigre’ has since bounced back, and is again his country’s indisputable number nine.
But Falcao’s injury-ravaged body is increasingly creaking, and having already clocked up three games in nine days at this tournament, it remains to be seen whether he will be at his clinical best. Colombia’s defence can also be got at. Despite keeping consecutive clean sheets for the first time in World Cup history, there have still been plenty of nervous moments – particularly against Senegal – to concern Pekerman.
Mina and Davinson Sanchez will form the backbone of Colombia’s defence for years to come. They are both young, blessed with pace and playing at two of the world’s top clubs – Barcelona and Tottenham respectively. But they are yet to forge a deep understanding of working together, and their high defensive line can be exploited.