Colombia overcome Ghana to reach World Cup last 16

Wasteful Colombia saw off toothless Ghana 1-0 on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the World Cup last 16.

The South Americans dominated the game at Arrowhead Stadium and had eight shots on target but ended up with just Jhon Arias’s early goal to show for their superiority.

Now they can look forward to a meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday and a chance to reach the quarter-finals.

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

Colombia were forced into an early change when Jhon Cordoba pulled up with an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suarez.

Minutes later, Ghana were forced into a change of their own when Alidu Seidu came on for the stricken Marvin Senaya.

Colombia went ahead in the 14th minute after substitute Suarez showed persistence on the right flank and crossed 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.

Colombia, roared on by a partisan crowd in Kansas City, continued to dominate, playing fluid, inventive football as they searched for a second goal.

Bayern Munich forward 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.

The half-time numbers made grim reading for Ghana — not a single shot on target and less than half of Colombia’s 319 completed passes — but they were still in the game.

Colombia made hard work of the second period, squandering a number of opportunities to finish off their opponents.

Diaz put the ball in the net but was flagged offside before striking another shot straight at Zigi.

As time ticked down, Juan Quintero flashed a powerful shot wide, but one goal turned out to be enough against a side that failed to muster a single shot on target.

Diaz, named man of the match, said Colombia were improving game by game, though he admitted they needed to be sharper in front of goal.

“We’re just missing that little detail of finishing a bit better and staying composed,” he said. “I think we played a very solid game.”

The winger, who scored 15 goals in the Bundesliga for Bayern last season, also admitted he had lacked composure in front of goal.

“I had chances to convert,” he said. “That confidence I want to have isn’t quite at 100 per cent yet.

“I’m trying to improve game by game. I felt much better in today’s match than in the previous one, without a doubt.”

AFP