Arias strike sends dominant Colombia into World Cup last 16.
Kansas City: Wasteful Colombia saw off a toothless Ghana 1-0 on Friday to become the final team to qualify for the World Cup last 16.
The South Americans dominated proceedings at Arrowhead Stadium but had only Jhon Arias’s early strike to show for their superiority as they now turn their attention to a Round of 16 clash with Switzerland in Vancouver on Tuesday.
Ghana midfielder Thomas Partey fired a shot just wide inside the opening minute, but it proved a false dawn for the African side.
Colombia were forced into an early change when Jhon Córdoba pulled up with an apparent groin injury and was replaced by Luis Suárez.
Minutes later, Ghana also had to make a substitution after Alidu Seidu came on for the injured Marvin Senaya.
Colombia took the lead in the 14th minute after substitute Suárez showed persistence down the right flank and delivered a cross for an unmarked Arias to steer home.
The goal left Carlos Queiroz’s goal-shy Black Stars, who had scored just twice in the group stage, with a major challenge on their hands.
Roared on by a partisan crowd in Kansas City, Colombia continued to dominate, producing fluid and inventive football as they pushed for a second goal.
Bayern Munich forward Luis Díaz had a fine opportunity to double Colombia’s lead in the 39th minute but scuffed his effort wide.
Early in first-half stoppage time, Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced a superb save to deny Johan Mojica’s downward header.
The half-time statistics made grim reading for Ghana, who failed to register a single shot on target and completed fewer than half of Colombia’s 319 passes, yet they remained within touching distance.
Colombia, however, made hard work of the second half, spurning several chances to put the game beyond their opponents.
Díaz found the net but was ruled offside, before later sending another effort straight at Zigi.
As the clock wound down, Juan Quintero fired a powerful shot wide, but one goal ultimately proved enough against a side that failed to register a single shot on target.
