SANTA FE, Argentina (AP)—Radamel Falcao scored twice and Colombia defeated Bolivia 2-0 on Sunday to become the first team to advance to the quarterfinals of the Copa America.
Colombia’s victory also guarantees Peru, Chile and Venezuela, all of which have four points after two matches, advance to the knockout stage.
Tournament favorites Argentina and Brazil have only two points in two matches and will advance if they win their final group matches.
Argentina faces Costa Rica on Monday and Brazil plays Ecuador on Wednesday.
Porto star Falcao scored in the 15th and 29th minutes for Colombia to secure top spot in Group A with seven points. Bolivia finished with only one point and was eliminated.
Colombia will face the best third-place team in the quarterfinals. The top two teams in each group reach the quarterfinals, joined by the best two third-place teams.
Falcao opened the scoring when he took a pass between two Bolivia defenders and broke in alone before slotting the ball behind Bolivia keeper Carlos Arias.
Falcao made it 2-0 by converting a penalty after Pablo Armero was taken down in the area. Falcao stutter-stepped and then beat Arias, who dived left with the shot going into the right corner.
“It doesn’t matter who scores the goals,” Falcao said. “What we want is to build a team; build an identity and get stronger.”
Added Colombia coach Hernan Dario Gomez: “When it comes down to one-on-one in a match, Falcao shows what he’s made of.”
In a low-scoring tournament, Falcao’s two goals made him the scoring leader. No team has scored more than two goals in any match.
Colombia and Chile have been the best teams early in the tournament. Colombia has been effective using its speed and precision passing game, which it showed in the second half. It’s also yet to give up a goal in three matches.
Falcao almost got his third in the 61st, leaping high and just failing to connect with a long cross. He had another chance two minutes later, but shot just inches wide of the far post. He also headed over the crossbar in the 84th.
Bolivia probably had its best chance of the match in the 55th but Jhasmani Campos shot the ball over the crossbar from 12 meters (yards).
Colombia president Juan Manuel Santos sent the team a good-luck message just before the game. Source
“Get up for the match. We are going to win,” Santos said on his Twitter feed.
No comments:
Post a Comment