James Rodriguez scored what many believe to be the ‘goal of the tournament’ and put the finishing touch to a sweet, flowing attacking raid as Colombia beat a toothless Uruguay (who were devoid of their biting super star) 2-0 to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time on Saturday.
Colombia will now play hosts Brazil in the last eight in Fortaleza on July 4 and on the comparative display of the two sides on Saturday when Brazil squeezed past Chile on penalties in their last-16 match, Colombia should fancy their chances.
While banned Uruguay striker Luis Suarez might have been the talk of the match beforehand, 22-year-old Rodriguez was the name on everyone’s lips at the Maracana at the end after scoring a truly stunning opening goal after 28 minutes and becoming the tournament’s top scorer after 50 minutes with his fifth goal in four games.
Without Suarez, banned by FIFA for biting, Uruguay had no way back.
The opener came when Uruguay only half-cleared the ball as far as Carlos Sanchez, lurking alone in midfield.
He instinctively headed it back in Rodriguez’s direction and the next few seconds entered World Cup folklore.
Cushioning the ball on his chest with his back to the goal the striker, swiveled and shot with his left foot in one movement, powering the ball in off the bar from 20 meters.
Although the ball brushed Uruguayan keeper Fernando Muslera’s fingertips on its way in, he had no chance of saving it.
