Rio de Janeiro: When Uruguay last played at the Maracana in a World Cup 64 years ago, they finished first in the tournament leaving hosts Brazil in a flood of tears in the process. At the 2014 World Cup, the two-time champions’ first match at the famous stadium turned out to be their last as they crashed to a 0-2 defeat at the hands of Colombia in the pre-quarterfinal. Yellow fever will grip Fortaleza when Los Cafeteros take on Brazil in their maiden World Cup quarterfinal on Friday.
Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez came of age — if he hadn’t already during the group stage — with a sensational brace to ensure Uruguay’s stay in Brazil was only a sojourn. His first in the 28th minute was a coruscating 25-yard volley on the turn. The 23-year-old superstar in the making sent the Maracana, full of his compatriots, into ecstasy by crashing the ball into the net off the bar with a sledgehammer left-footer. Those who watched the delightful goal cannot forget it until neurons give up on them.
With his back to goal, Rodriguez brought down Abel Aguilar’s header with his chest before unleashing an unstoppable volley. Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera didn’t even have the privilege of touching the masterpiece. The no. 10 of Colombia provided the moment of magic the hitherto listless match had desperately needed.
If Rodriguez’s first was all about the skill, technique and a sense of occasion of an individual, his second in the 50th minute justified Colombia’s rising stocks in the tournament. Juan Cuadrado cushioned Pablo Armero’s left-wing cross at the far post for Rodriguez to smash home. Teofilo Gutierrez had initiated a wonderful, sweeping move on the right. After receiving the ball from Gutierrez just outside the box, Jackson Martinez released Armero with a perceptive pass. Cuadrado’s towering header set up the goal on a platter and it was the winger’s fourth assist of the tournament. With five goals, Rodriguez is now the sole leader of the scoring charts.
Uruguay came to the intra-continental battle without Luis Suarez, their main weapon, and they went home bloodied if not with bruised pride. The ageing side of Oscar Tabarez came alive after a poor first half but they found Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina an insurmountable wall.
The 25-year-old goalkeeper of French club Nice was cruel to Uruguay’s forwards as he pulled off superb saves to deny Cristian Rosdriguez, Maximiliano Pereira and Edinson Cavani in the second half.
