Jhon Arias struck early and Colombia’s defense did the rest as Los Cafeteros beat Ghana 1-0 on Friday night at Arrowhead Stadium to advance to the World Cup Round of 16.
The victory, in 96-degree heat index conditions, sends Colombia to face Switzerland on Tuesday in Vancouver for a place in the quarterfinals. It is only the second time Colombia have won a World Cup knockout match, and their first since reaching the last eight in Brazil in 2014.
Colombia were forced into an early change when striker Jhon Córdoba pulled up with a groin issue inside the opening minutes. Coach Néstor Lorenzo brought on Sporting CP forward Luis Suárez, and the substitution paid off immediately.
In the 14th minute, Daniel Muñoz found Suárez, who whipped a low cross across the six-yard box. Arias ghosted in to flick the ball past Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi for the only goal of the game.
“Córdoba felt a pull,” Lorenzo said after the match. “He will undergo tests to determine the seriousness.”
Los Cafeteros thought they had doubled the lead in the 56th minute when Luis Díaz finished, but the flag went up for offside. Díaz went close again minutes later, only to be denied by a point-blank save from Zigi, who finished with seven saves to keep Ghana in it.
Ghana failed to register a shot on target as Colombia recorded a third consecutive World Cup clean sheet.
Veteran James Rodríguez made his 10th World Cup start, tying the Colombian record held by Carlos Valderrama and Freddy Rincón, but was withdrawn at halftime.
“There were several players with flu-like symptoms and we anticipated fatigue,” Lorenzo explained. “But it was also a tactical decision.”
Kickoff came at 8:30 p.m. local time in 88F heat with mandatory hydration breaks as both teams battled cramps and dehydration.
Colombia had already impressed in the group stage with wins over Uzbekistan and DR Congo and a draw against Portugal, conceding just one goal. Their form has drawn praise, with Spain coach Luis de la Fuente calling them “a candidate to win the World Cup.”
“We have won absolutely nothing,” Díaz said. “Every game has been tight. The positive is that we are playing well, we feel comfortable, we are a family, and that will help us going forward.”
Colombia will now travel to Vancouver to meet Switzerland on Tuesday with a quarterfinal spot on the line.
