Match Review: Colombia v. Poland

Colombia v Poland
Score: 3-0
Goals: Mina 40', Falcao 70', Cuadrado 75'
Possession: 55-45
Shots: 13-9
Man of the match: Juan Quintero (A)

Colombia eliminated Poland from the World Cup with an emphatic 3-0 trashing in Kazan. The match started off with both teams taking very different approaches. Poland were focused on playing more long balls forward to their star striker Robert Lewandowski, and Colombia were more focused on breaking down the Polish defense with quick creative passing and pace. Both sides seemed to cancel each other out until finally, Colombia had a breakthrough 40 minutes in. Poland conceded a corner and Rodriguez decided to play it short to Quintero who was bossing the match thus far. He played a beautiful reverse ball back to Rodriguez tricking the entire Polish defense. Rodriguez received the ball and swung in a perfect ball with his exquisite left foot right onto the head of Mina who powered it home. It was a sensational team goal and sent the Colombians into the half leading 1-0.  Poland though came out with a fire in the second half knowing their World Cup would be over if the result held. They finally got their golden opportunity, and it fell to their star man Robert Lewandowski. A long ball was played forward, and finally, it worked and split the Colombian defense. Lewandowski brought it down with an ok first touch and hit it towards goal. Unfortunately, a strong David Ospina was there and made a very good save to keep the Colombians ahead. Then right after that chance, Colombia took control once again and doubled their advantage just ten minutes later. The ball found their midfield maestro Juan Quintero who found talisman Radamel Falcao and played him in. Falcao was clean through and slotted it home with a cheeky outside of the boot finish. This doubled Colombia's lead and seemed to seal Poland's fate. But Colombia weren't done and added a third to their tally just five minutes later. James Rodriguez was streaking down the left side and was surrounded by two Polish defenders. Rodriguez looked up and saw Juan Cuadrado storming down the right wing. He attempted an absolutely audacious pass but he played it to absolute perfection as it found Cuadrado perfectly in stride. Cuadrado composed himself and slotted it home past Szczesny into the bottom right hand corner. Poland had one or two chances at a consolation goal but in the end nothing came of it and their World cup came to an end. For Colombia, this put their progression back in their hands, and they will definitely be confident going against Senegal on the final day.