Arias’ goal enough to send Colombia into pre-quarters

Colombia managed to see off a toothless Ghana 1-0 here on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the World Cup last 16.

The South Americans were on the front foot for most parts at the Kansas City Stadium and had eight shots on target but ended up with only Jhon Arias’ (14th minute) early goal to show for their superiority. Now they can look forward to a meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.

Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey fizzed a shot just wide in the opening minute but that proved a false dawn for the African side.

Colombia was forced into an early change when Jhon Cordoba pulled up with an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suarez. Minutes later, Ghana had to make an alteration of its own as Alidu Seidu came on for the stricken Marvin Senaya. 

Colombia went ahead after Suarez showed persistence on the right flank and crossed the ball for an unmarked Arias to steer home. That gave Carlos Queiroz’s goal-shy Black Stars, who scored just twice in the group phase, a major headache.

Luis Diaz had a wonderful chance to double Colombia’s lead in the 39th minute but scuffed his shot wide. Early in first-half stoppage time, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced a superb save from Johan Mojica’s downward header.

Colombia made hard work of the second period, squandering a number of opportunities to finish off its opponent. But it did enough in the end. “We are just missing that little detail of finishing a bit better and staying composed. I think that we played a very solid game,” Diaz said.

Diaz, who was adjudged the Player-of-the-Match, added: “I am trying to improve game by game. I felt much better than I did in the previous one”.