By Daily Sports on June 25, 2018

Colombia got their World Cup campaign firmly back on track with a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Poland in their Group H clash.

Opening defeats for both sides in Group H meant it was a must-not-lose scenario at the Kazan Stadium and Yerry Mina's first-half goal (40) sent Colombia on their way.

A first World Cup goal for Radamel Falcao (70) and Juan Cuadrado's third (75) put the gloss on a scintillating performance as Colombia boosted their chances of reaching the knockout stage.

Jose Peckerman's side now know a victory over Senegal, who drew 2-2 with Japan earlier in the day, in their final group game on Thursday will secure a place in the last 16 where they could face either England or Belgium, while Poland will only have pride to play for when they face Japan.

Backed by a large number of travelling supporters, Colombia dominated the early stages. James Rodriguez was pulling the strings for Peckerman's side and it was his pass that released Falcao in the 25th minute but the striker's backheel for Cuadrado was cut out by Lukasz Piszczek.

Colombia lost Abel Aguilar to injury but it didn't knock them off their stride as Cuadrado danced his way through the Poland defence, but the Juventus winger's shot was saved by his club team-mate Wojciech Szczesny.

They eventually made the breakthrough five minutes before the break with a well-worked corner routine. Rodriguez started the move with a short corner to Cuadrado, who in turn laid the ball off for Juan Quintero. His reverse pass put Rodriguez in space and the Bayern forward picked out Mina at the far post with an inch-perfect cross for the defender to head home from close range.

Colombia came out after the break and resumed their dominance as Cuadrado, who held the ball up well, set up Falcao for a first-time drive that rose high over Szczesny's crossbar.

Poland's golden opportunity fell to Robert Lewandowski in the 58th minute but Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina raced off his line to block the Bayern Munich striker's shot.

It proved to be a crucial moment in the game and Colombia made Lewandowski pay for the missed opportunity when Juan Quintero's pass sliced Poland's defence apart and Falcao did the rest, finishing expertly past Szczesny with the outside of his right boot.

Cuadrado's goal capped off a dominant Colombia display

Five minutes later Colombia extended their lead as Rodriguez produced a pass to better Quintero's. The Bayern forward somehow threaded a through ball from the left wing through several Poland players to pick out Cuadrado, who finished emphatically.

Poland sought a late consolation, but Ospina preserved Colombia's clean sheet with saves from both Grzegorz Krychowiak and Lewandowski as Adam Nawałka's side became the first European nation to crash out of the tournament. (Sky Sports)

•Photo shows Falcao celebrating his goal against Poland 

Source Daily Sports

Posted June 25, 2018

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