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Final

Germany 1-0 (ET) Argentina (Gotze 113')

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Game 5 Recap: Colombia 3-0 Greece

COLOMBIA 3-0 GREECE

A stunning early goal from Colombia pulled the Greek team away from their core philosophy from the start and Colombia never looked back on their way to a comfortable 3-0 victory.

Not for the first time left back Jose Holebas found himselves victimized by the speed of Cuadrado on the flank and as James Rodriguez's long floater found Cuadrado in the corner. Some nifty footwork by Cuadrado freed up a cross and after a dummy by Rodriguez drew the defenders away, Pablo Armero's strike went off Kostas Manolas and past a befuddled Orestis Karnezis in goal.

It was a disastrous start for the Greeks who are built to defend leads or play in tie games, not play catch-up for 85 minutes.

Greece pushed further up the field and actually won the possession battle in the first half, but it was apparent that Colombia were the more dangerous on the ball and that the Greeks had little in the way of finishing ability in the Colombian area. Greece's best chance of the first half came just before the whistle but Panagiotis Kone's strike was saved beautifully by a diving David Ospina.

With momentum on their side, Colombia picked up their insurance marker in the 58th minute off of a corner kick. Rodriguez' corner was played short and tipped back by Abel Aguilar to a wide open Gutierrez whose finish was easy. Surprising lack of box awareness from the normally sound Greece. 

Theofanis Gekas and Giorgos Samaras had opportunities to pull one back at separate points in the half but the crossbar and outside of the post were the closest Greece would come. Star of the show James Rodriguez finished things off in injury time with a 1-time strike

Goals

Colombia: Pablo Armero (5'), Teofilo Gutierrez (58'), James Rodriguez (90+3')
Greece: N/A

Discipline

Colombia: Carlos Sanchez (26')
Greece: Sokratis Papastathopoulos (52'), Dimitris Salpingidis (55')

Man of the Match

Welcome to the World Cup James Rodriguez. The 22 year old was pegged as a star in the making and lived up to full billing. Had a hand in all 3 goals, scoring the third, and taking the corner on the second. Truly brilliant performance on the first though, playing the long ball to Cuadrado and drawing the defence off to make room for Armero. Absolutely unstoppable all game.



Key Moment

With Greece gaining momentum towards the end of the first half, David Ospina made a diving stop to prevent a Panagiotis Kone strike from finding the top corner. Greece looked deflated after and it wasn't long in to the second half before Colombia put the game away for good.

What We Learned from Colombia

Exactly as good as advertised in both ends of the pitch. Able to repel most Greek attacks and keep them outside the penalty area and caused all kinds of issues with their speed on the flanks, particularly Cuadrado working on Holebas. They need more chances to go towards goal. Had a number of odd-man rushes when Greece was pushed forward but one too many touches or passes when balls needed to be sent goalward.

What We Learned from Greece

Absolutely incapable of playing from behind in a game. Greece gave it their all offensively but looked awkward going forward and wasted plenty of quality chances with poor finishing. Also had no answer for how much speed Colombia had. Greece faced no one with that kind of pace in qualifying and their usually tidy back line was a mess as Colombia continually lobbed balls over them. With Japan playing a similar style of play, Greece needs to fix their line asap if they want to advance.

Going Forward

Colombia well on track to advance especially with two weaker defences to go in the group. Needs to clean up their finishing and midfield passing though to maximize success. Greece need to forget this ever happened and stick to the script. They don't have another option really as we saw today.

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