Otherwise, that’s us for now. Thanks so much for your company and comments, hope you enjoyed that as much as I did. Our report will be up shortly, and we’ll be back tomorrow with more of everything. But until then, peace out.
For you as we speak:
And it’s also good to see the next generation of players seizing their moments. Lauren James did it for England last week, Linda Caicedo for Colombia today – and neither of them is finished.
It’s so good to see so many close contests. The tournament is on a rolling boil now, and none of us have a clue what’s going to happen from game to game, never mind in the end.
⏱️ 90' + 6' Goooooooooool de Manuela Vanegas Gooooooool de Colombiaaaaaa.
— Selección Colombia (@FCFSeleccionCol) July 30, 2023
🇨🇴 2-1 🇩🇪#PersiguiendoUnSueño#TodosSomosColombia🇨🇴 pic.twitter.com/Nkq1ieftHh
Heartbreak 💔 (90+7')#FIFAWWC #GERCOL 1-2
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) July 30, 2023
So how far can Colombia go? Well, if they win the group chances are they face Brazil or Jamaica – who meet in what looks like a sudden death playoff on Wednesday – in the last 16, and a performance similar to the one we saw today would give them a really good chance in that. I’m sure they’re capable of playing with the same resolve, though will have to hope Carabali is ready because she was superb today.
However, if Colombia take a point off Morocco they’ll win the group, meaning Germany will likely face France in the last 16.
We were saying earlier that the side that looks best in the first round of matches is rarely the side dancing about at the end of the final. So perhaps in a way that defeat will work well for Germany, reminding them that they’re not getting anything for free while Popp is now another game fitter, likewise Oberdorf – who played well.
So Colombia aren’t officially into the knockouts, but they’re as good as – they need to avoid losing to Morocco by eight goals. Germany, meanwhile, need a win against South Korea if Morocco win, but otherwise a draw will do.
Oh man, that was intense. Germany just couldn’t get going, but Colombia just wouldn’t let them. On which point, hold tight Nelson Abadía – getting a side to play with such confidence, focus, discipline, organisation, bravery and resolve is no small matter. If they continue defending as they did today, they’re a problem for anyone and everyone.
FULL TIME: Germany 1-2 Colombia
Colombia have done it! One of the great World Cup shocks, one of the great games, and the former champions are in trouble!
90+14 min What a performance this has been from Colombia, the perfect combination of wildness and composure.
90+13 min Carabali is carried off and Santos replaces her.
90+11 min This, by the way, is why proper time-keeping matters. In the club game, we get four minutes injury-time, then the final whistle.
90+9 min Ach, Carabali is down – in the maelstrom, I didn’t see quite what happened – but the stretcher is out and I’m afraid it doesn’t look great. It’s been an absolutely monstrous performance from her, though – she’s led her team’s rearguard, and they’re on the verge of shocking the world.
90+8 min I do not know what to say to you, people! Colombia have been brilliant today, and that is a slice of pure, uncut World Cup. Colombia aren’t quite through with a win, though they’re near enough; Germany will need a point and maybe a win against South Korea.
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OH MY COMPLETE AND UTTER DAYS IT'S A GOAL! Germany 1-2 Colombia (Vanegas 90+7)
An outswinger to the penalty-spot area and Vanega explodes head, neck and body to get over the ball, diverting a gloooorious header back the way the way the cross came for an epochal, sensational winner! FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBALL FOOTBAAAAAALLLLLLLL!
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90+7 min Colombia have reacted so well to conceding – Germany have barely threatened a win – and now they’ve a corner down the right. Their set-piece delivery has been good today…
90+6 min And now Ramirez charges down the right, lashing a shot wide. She has put an obscene amount of effort into this game.
90+5 min A heavy touch from Popp just outside the box, but she wins it back, plays off Anyomi and, now inside the box, chops inside Ramirez … who stands up to win the challenge! Excellent defending.
90+3 min Schuller has played well since coming on and she dashes after a ball down the right but when she looks to come inside, again, the Colombia defenders are exactly where they should be. This has been a fine effort from them, but elite-level sport being elite-level sport, they were punished for one lapse. Carabali has had a brilliant game, but she gets touch-tight to Schuller, not right up against her, no way Oberdorf gets the chance to win the penalty.
90+2 min Anyomi tries a low one, but can’t quite find a teammate and Colombia clear.
90+1 min Brand nashes down the outside of Arias C, who knocks her over. Free-kick Germany, just outside the box, left-hand side.
90 min Germany are hunting a winner now! They’ve six minutes to find one!
GOAL! Germany 1-1 Colombia (Popp pen 89)
Perez dives right and Popp rolls down the middle! She handled the pressure so well there.
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PENALTY TO GERMANY!
88 min A fine pass from Dabritz into Schuller who, with her back to goal, dummies knowing Carabali is out of the game coming up behind her and Oberdorf is making a third-player run in behind! She collects, takes the ball away from Perez, and absorbs the keeper’s challenge for which she’s booked. Can Popp save her team?
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86 min Colombia should make it safe! Ramirez, who’s been brilliant, picks up a loose ball after a brilliant challenge on the touchline from Arias C, barrels into the box and, with a player waiting for the cut-back, uses her as a decoy to slide to the far post where Caicedo has made a tremendous run! But then she opts not to gamble, standing when she should slide, and the perfect delivery rushes past her!
85 min Caicedo, who fainted a few days ago, is down. But she looks fine, sipping water at the side before returning to us while, back on the pitch, Santos wins a massive challenge to keep Germany pinned inside their own half.
83 min “Best game of the tournament so far?” wonders Charles Antaki. “Skill, speed, upset (at the moment) , elbows, crowd support, general oomph?”
Nigeria v Australia was also great, but this one is up there.
82 min Again, Germany are forced out wide, where Huth crosses, and Perez, who’s been solid and decisive, collects again.
80 min …and Hagel lifts into the box, but someone, Arias D I think, makes first contact to head partially clear then, when the ball breaks to Oberdorf, her shot is blocked. The discipline of Colombia’s defending has been so impressive today, players sticking to the plan while rushing to taking individual responsibility whenever necessary.
78 min Schuller moves down the left but is forced back inside and eventually the ball arrives at Huth, down the opposite flank, where she’s quickly closed down. Ospina, though, then runs through Oberdorf who – cleverly and bravely – unloads then wears the challenge. It yields another booking, and a free-kick 25 yards from goal, left of centre. This time, Popp leaves it for Hagel…
76 min Colombia have defended and are defending superbly – from front to back. Germany have created so little, and haven’t sustained much pressure either. This isn’t like Nigeria 3-2 Australia, in which the hosts put together a proper onslaught when seeking to save themselves.
76 min Another change for Germany, Anyomi replacing Buhl.
74 min …and this time it’s Buhl, driving low as the wall jumps, but someone gets studs on it and Ramirez counters. She’s soon blocked off, but got her team right the way up the park and has had a superb game, holding the ball up and refusing to allow an easy pass into midfield.
74 min But Germany win another free-kick in a dangerous position, 25 yards out and left of centre….
73 min Colombia still have three players ready to pounce when Germany look to play out and, though they let them on this occasion, they get back into shape so quickly, three players crowding out Brand down the right.
71 min But she lumps it over the wall and over the bar! That was not a good effort, and Germany are starting to wonder, the looks on their faces just a little more desperate now.
70 min Dabritz ploughs towards the box so Arias D hauls her back and Germany have a free-kick on the edge, right of centre; Popp will fancy this!
69 min This has been an almost perfect display from Colombia – so far. At half-time, Emma Hayes was saying that Germany need to get the ball wide and supply Popp with crosses, but there’s not been much of that so far; rather, they’re looking to play their way in with lots of short passes about the edge of the box.
68 min Germany hit Buhl with a switch, but her first touch allows Caicedo – who’s defended her flank really well – to force the ball out of play for a throw which comes to nothing.
67 min A change apiece: Germany remove Magull, a touch surprisingly, to introduce Schuller, while Colombia take off Montoya, their captain, to try Ospina.
65 min Germany know that defeat here and they’re the victims of ann all-time great shock; they’re turning up the power and aggression as you’d expect. But Colombia are really well-drilled, and now they’ve something more to hang onto, finding a way through them – without conceding a second – looks a real problem.
64 min And when Buhl’s near-post kick bounces to leave those attacking it, the ball skews over to Oberdorf at the back post … whose shot loops wide.
63 min There’s a feverishness about Colombia – there has been since the start – but Germany, though not at their best, are building pressure and win a corner down the right…
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62 min Hagel curls in and a flick from Popp sees the ball fly towards Brand … just too quickly for her to get anything on it.
61 min Now Magull drives forward and Bedoya doesn’t need asking twice, quickly yanking her down at cost of a yellow card. Here comes the free-kick, 35 yards out…
61 min Meantime, Germany seek an equaliser, Popp nipping inside and unloading the suitcase at a left-foot drive, which sails over the top.
59 min “Can you imagine what the feeling must be like to put your country one up against Germany in a World Cup as a teenager?” wonders Kári Tulinius, forgetting I’ve first-hand experience of precisely this. “I’m honestly surprised Caicedo isn’t levitating inches above the pitch. Though to be fair, the way she bamboozled the German defence, she might as well been hovering in mid-air.”
What I loved most about it is how inevitable it felt when she got the ball. We knew exactly what she need to do, what she was going to do … then she did it, perfectly. A sensational moment that will resonate not just for today but forever more.
58 min But this time, though she again picks out a teammate – Carabali at the back of the box, I think – the cross is just a little too high for how far out she is, and Germany clear.
58 min Caicedo is flying now, clever feet down the right of the box earning Colombia another corner, and Usme’s delivery has been good all night…
57 min Oberdorf clatters Santos and in booked.
56 min But let’s get back to Caicdeo! It’s not a perfect science, of course, but some players are just able to refocus a game and make it all about themselves. Caicedo is one of those, and who knows wheee it’s going from here?
54 min Changer for Colombia: Santos on for Andrade, who’s been excellent.
WHAT A GOAL! Germany 0-1 Colombia (Caicedo 53)
AAAARRRGGGHHHHH! Linda Caicedo, remember the name! This is a gorgeous goal, Caicedo reacting first to pick up the ball down the left of the box and, as Huth rushes across, sends her out for a currywurst with a flick of the hips, dips inside Dabritz, then unfurls a rising curler into the far top corner! That is beautiful, and I’m on my feet here!
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52 min This is speeding up now, Germany attacking then Colombia countering and Ramirez winning a corner.
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50 min Andrade wins it high, surprising Huth with her strength and finding Ramirez with a cunning flick. The ball then moves quickly from left to right, Caicdeo – having possibly changed flanks – with a run on her defender. In the event, a poor first touch wastes the opportunity, but that’s where her team want her on the ball.
49 min … and her delivery is low and hard, a desperate block preventing the ball dropping to Oberdorf. Colombia have defended really well so far, with aggression, bravery and proactivity.
49 min Germany incur down the left and win a corner via blocked cross, Buhl with it…
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47 min I doubt Colombia are upset to see the back of Doorsun, and I’d not be surprised were they to ask one of their wide attackers to play a little more centrally.
46 min We go again!
Half-time change for Germany: Nuskeen replaces Doorsun. The latter played well in the first half, but she took a knock and I guess the latter’s passing might be helpful though she’s a midfielder not a centre-back.
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We'll miss New Zealand's pre-match hype! 🇳🇿#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/sHO6t1F0PZ
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) July 30, 2023
Let’s hope she makes it.
HALF-TIME: Germany 0-0 Colombia
Not much goalmouth action but still plenty of fun, quality and attitude. An explosion looks extremely possible, so stick with us for the second half.
45+6 min …it’s another good ball int too, flat and under the bar. Frohms does really well to get rid, Arias D then barges her gently, and the ref is advised of her displeasure in no uncertain terms. We’re simmering here, and one more thing could send us over the edge.
45+5 min More good work from Colombia down the right, Andrade forcing a corner; Usme will take it, and it should be the last action of the half…
45+4 min Meantime it’s Buhl screeching at Carabali, who again reads the situation well to shepherd player and ball down the outside. She’s had a terrific half.
45+3 min A ball out to Popp forces her to slide after it, and somehow, despite facing the touchline, she diverts it back inside. Nothing comes of it, but I’m describing it because it exemplifies her commitment, athleticism and skill. And she’s running a temper too, so I’d not be surprised to see some action after the break.
45+1 min Incidentally, I read yesterday that we’ll be getting more sensible time-keeping in the Premier League next season, and about time. It’s become far too easy to disappear games with injuries, subs, celebrations and complaints; the watch should stop every time the ball goes dead.
45 min We’ll have five added minutes.
44 min Back come Colombia, Bedoya, who’s playing well, has a look then a dig from 25 yards … that flies a yard or so over the bar. Frohms, though, had it covered.
42 min Nice from Germany, Magull finding Oberdorf who again slides a canny ball – a return – into the box, and when Magull flips to the far post, Popp is there ... but from an acute-ish slices her volley wide! That was a difficult chance, but I doubt I’m the only one who expected a more controlled effort from so accomplished a striker.
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41 min Now Germany fly forward, Buhl, who’s such a powerful runner in a style not unreminscent of Gareth Bale, putting the ball in behind down the left and charging after it. But Carabali is there to crowd her out, after which Popp is again on at the ref presumably following another blind-side greeting from a Colombian defender.
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40 min But here’s Caicedo now, skipping infield and sliding square for Ramirez, who drags a weak shot wide.
39 min I daresay this match looks very similar to how Colombia wants it to look. They’ve not, though, managed to get Caicedo involved, so are struggling to create much, especially down her left-hand side. On the right, Ramirez and Andrade, have looked capable.
38 min Nice turn from Ramirez out wide, holding off Hagel, but when she spins into a cross there’s no one in the middle, so Frohms collects easily enough.
36 min Nice from Colombia in midfield, Andrade spreading to Ramirez, and though her ball in is a poor one, Germany make a business out of clearing it. This is an even match again, Colombia’s combo of aggression and enterprise asking some taxing questions.
34 min And now Colombia win a free-kick out on the right, far from goal but near enough for the ball to humped into the box. But Usme’s delivery is poor and Doorsun, who’s started well, levers Ramirez from underneath, Harry Kane-style, while Hendrich heads clear.
33 min Colombia have disappeared the last few minutes pretty effectively, halting Germany’s momentum just as it was getting started.
32 min “Chapeau to the Women’s World Cup for keeping the MBMers occupied through the summer!” writes Richard Hirst. “Happy memories of the last one held here in France: went to Montpellier to see Italy play China. The rapport between the Italian team and their fans was fantastic and we became instant Italy supporters: shame about yesterday.”
Still another chance for Il Canto degli Italiani to make the knockouts, so all is not lost. Siiiiiiiiii!
I know it’s always great, but the way Italy’s women performed the national anthem yesterday was SENSAZIONALE. pic.twitter.com/Lf1JFVxMwA
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) July 15, 2022
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31 min Yup, she hobbles off grinning, and will shrrtly be back with us.
29 min Usme is down and by the way her mates are gesturing, she needs treatment. I think, though, that she’ll be fine.
28 min Now Colombia press forward, Ramirez sliding out to Caicedo … who’s immediately clattered by a firm but fair tackle from Huth (I think).
27 min Colombia are pretty much pinned now, but I should’ve clarified when I said their defending was desperate: it’s desperate in the right way, big tackles and blocks, within a disciplined and focused structure. Germany are still to create a proper chance.
25 min Colombia get Caicedo on the ball, but on halfway, and she’s immediately crowded out by two defenders. After a slow start, Germany are taking over, Carabali forced to slide in and unload Brand, this time staying wide. The defending is getting increasingly wild.
24 min “Good to have the chance to have a look at Lena Oberdorf – as you say, she’d not played in the previous game. Given what’s been said about her, what we’re about to see sounds like a combination of Franz Beckenbauer and Judge Dredd.”
She’s very serious indeed and is just starting to assert herself – physically and also technically.
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23 min Perez looks a confident keeper, coming for the cross and claiming well.
22 min Germany are coming now, Oberdorf winning a colossal tackle before feeding Magull down the left of the box. She swipes at fresh air, the ball breaks, Oberdorf shoots, Montoya blocks, and eventually Colombia concede a corner.
21 min Brand skates across the face of the Colombian line from left to centre, but Carabali is there to win a good and important tackle.
19 min Nice from Colombia, a ball in behind sending Ramirez on the chase, but Hendrich stays with her well, then Carabali clatters an increasingly irate Popp. The ref, though, is happy to away a free-kick while keeping words and cards to herself; this is intensifying.
18 min Now it’s Usme at it, flying into Magull and – accidentally – catching her with a stray arm. Colombia are turning this into a scrap, and rancour – all the things that no one wants to see – looks enticingly imminent.
16 min Arias D nudges Popp off the ball, so there’s a break while she accepts treatment. We’ve not been shown a close-up of what happened, but my guess is a friendly elbow-caress to the midriff.
15 min “With the caveat that this will probably age badly,” exculpates Kári Tulinius, “I’ve been surprised by how flat Germany have been in the opening exchanges. After their explosive win over Morocco I expected more. I can’t tell if Colombia is doing something to unsettle them, or if they’ve just yet to wake up.”
They’re already improving, I think, but Colombia aren’t sitting off and have pace in behind, so building from the back against them is a problem.
14 min This could develop into the best match we’ve seen so far, I think. Germany are settling into their passing now, but Colombia are pressing and looking to get players forward quickly.
12 min “Morning greetings from California,” begins Mary Waltz, for whom it’s still last night. “I love the enthusiasm, the feathered head dresses, the youth and energy of Columbia. But won’t the Germans crush the Colombian side? So far Germany and Spain look so much stronger than rest of the field.”
It’s rare that the best side in the first round of tournament-matches is the side dancing about at the end of it, so I’d not want to draw too many conclusions from what we saw during it. Both sides you mention could be champions, but both could easily lose to various of the others in a one-off match.
10 min First flash of Germany, Buhl sticking the ball behind Arias C, powering past and slinging over a terrific cross that eludes everyone. Germany, though, sustain the attack, Huth then crossing from the right, but with no one attacking the six-yard box, Perez dives to collect.
8 min …and her delivery is superb too, hit flat and fast to Ramirez at the back post … who heads down and wide! That’s the first half-chance of the match, and we’re warming up nicely here.
8 min Andrade again turns up on the right, feeding a pass in behind for Ramirez, who wins a corner. Usme will swerve in with her left foot…
7 min Colombia have started nicely here, confidently looking to get about Germany at every opportunity.
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5 min Germany stop Colombia playing out from the goakick, so Perez goes long and the ball finds its way out to Andrade, down the right. She chucks a lollipop at Hagel and flies by on the outside, but the defender comes back at her really well, timing her slide to perfection – not with the aim of winning the ball, but to force her opponent to take another stride, which takes her behind. Smart work.
4 min Germany hit Popp, who spins Vanegas and accepts the inevitable foul; now it’s Germany’s go to stick a ball into the box, but Buhl’s delivery is over-excited and the ball flies behind.
3 min For those unfamiliar with Colombia’s astronomy-themed away kit…
2 min Early chance for Colombia to exert pressure, sticking a free-kick into the box, but Hendrich is up high and early to head clear.
1 min Morocco beating South Korea means Germany qualify with a win; Colombia will still need something when they meat the North Africans in their final match.
1 min Away we go!
There’s a Hebrew word, kavanah, that means intensity, focus and intention – generally with regard to prayer. The Colombians could not be attacking their album with greater kavanah, and it’s beautiful to see.
Anthem time…
And here they come!
Our players are tunnelled, and it’s almost time…
Get yourselves in the mood with some favourite Colombian tunes:
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Also for you:
However, Caicedo fainted in training a few days ago and, having recovered from ovarian cancer not that long ago, people were understandably worried. But reports assure us she’s fine, which is great news.
ITV are showing us VT of Caicedo, who looks every inch a footballer: lithe, but with phenomenal power in her legs. I can’t wait to see how she does against this opposition.
Smart-cas latest: oh, Jonas. Oh, mate.
Looking at the Germany side, it’s absolute levels in midfield and attack. So, though Colombia might well plan to defend deep and slow the game down, they’ll want to get the ball forward, and quickly, with Caicedo dropping off, running off Usme, and darting in behind. If they work it well, Doorsun and Hendrich will have a few problems.
Leisurewear latest:
Show some ❤️ for our beloved mascot, Waru 🐨
— Germany (@DFB_Team_EN) July 30, 2023
WIR #IMTEAM #GER #FIFAWWC #GERCOL pic.twitter.com/T8fSeNsVdb
So Switzerland win Group A and Norway qualify as runners-up; they’ll meet Japan and Spain next, with those two facing off tomorrow in a match that decides first and second in Group C.
Have Norway got themselves going just in time? They now lead Philippines 6-0, and Sophie Haug has her hat-trick.
And Switzerland have hung on; New Zealand are out. We’re not partial here, but I guess the tournament could Australia staying in, to keep the atmosphere going.
New Zealand have four minutes of stoppage time remaining as they seek the goal that’ll see them into the knockouts at the expense of opponents Switzerland.
Colombia settle for one alteration, Leicy Santos replaced in attacking midfield by Lady Andrade.
Germany make two changes following their tousing of Morocco: Felicitas Rauch is, sadly, injured, so her place at left-back goes to Chantal Hagel – and Giulia Gwinn and Carolin Simon were already missing from their back-four. Meanwhile, Leupolz loses her spot at the base of midfield to the also-excellent Lena Oberdorf.
And earlier, from our group:
I’m going to write those down, then we’ll talk about what they mean. So in the meantime, here’s what’s going on right now; the co-hosts badly need a goal…
Let's have some teams!
Germany (4-2-3-1): Frohms; Hagel, Hendrich, Huth, Doorsoun; Oberdorf, Däbritz; Bühl, Magull, Brand; Popp. Subs: Berger, Johannes, Kleinherne, Hegering, Schüller, Lohmann, Freigang,Lttwein, Nuesken, Anyomi, Rauch, Leupolz.
Colombia (4-3-3): Perez; Vanegas, Arias D, Arias C, Carabali; Bedoya, Montoya, Andrade; Ramirez, Usme, Caicedo. Subs: Sepulveda, Giraldo, Ospina, Reyes, Restrepo, Santos, Baron, Guzman, Ramos, Chacon, Caracas, Bahr.
Preamble
Though it’s the job of the writer to describe events, not predict them, I can’t lie: I thought we’d see a fair few blowouts in our first round of matches, but in the event, there were just three.
The most convincing of them, though, was perpetrated by Germany, who monstered Morocco 6-0 and looked, if not the best team at the tournament on paper, the team for whom the tournament has come at the best time on grass. Most particularly, Alexandra Popp – so heartbreakingly forced out of the Euro 2022 final during the warm-up – is back and, with Klara Bühl, Lina Magull and Jule Brand behind her – then Melanie Leupolz and Sara Däbriz behind them! – we’re looking at a formidable side that it’s easy to see growing into a champion side.
Colombia, though, are not going to hand them anything. They also won their first match, 2-0 against South Korea., and are a tough, skilful outfit with total belief in what they’re doing. They won’t, most likely be able to rival Germany in possession, but do have serious qualify in attacking areas – most particularly thanks to Linda Caicedo, a next-generation superstar, but also through Cata Usme, the country’s all-time leading scorer.
So, a win for either side and they’re almost into the knockouts, but a draw would work fairly well too – and Colombia won’t give up their 0-0 without a fight.
Kick-off: 7.30pm local, 10.30am BST
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