TOa what It seemed like just another friendly match, the game of the Colombian National Team against the Bolivian National Team It had many additional ingredients and ended with quite a bit of controversy. Of course, the undefeated record of the Colombians will be maintained and will be at risk in the 2024 Copa América: are 23 consecutive games without losing, 20 of these with the direction of Néstor Lorenzo.
But apart from that collective mark, James Rodríguez reached 100 games with the senior national team shirt, a journey that began on October 11, 2011.also against the Bolivian national team and playing for the Brazil 2014 World Cup Qualifiers. And on less friendly topics, this match also put health at risk by Luis Díaz, for a disqualifying tackle that sparked a brawl on the field and left 2 expelled.
Summary of Colombia vs. Bolivia, friendly prior to Copa América 2024
- First half of victory and dominance of ‘la Tricolor’
There were a multitude of Colombians in the stands, ‘la Tricolor’ seemed like a local at the Pratt & Whitney Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut, and from the beginning they began to put conditions on Bolivia. Although it was thought that it was going to be a substitute team, Lorenzo only made a few tweaks and maintained the starting base that had already scored 5-1 against the United States a week ago.
After 5 minutes it was 1-0, after a genius from Luis Díaz, who could not define well and left a rebound so that Jhon Arias could define and open the scoring. A Colombian team continued to be seen attacking, pressing high and seeking to take the rival ahead.
While the Bolivians, led by Antonio Carlos Zago, waited in the background and tried to defend their goal and then take advantage of some space to counterattack. But The Colombians maintained control and calm, letting their creatives be inspired and after 25 minutes the score was 2-0 through Jhon Córdobaafter another player from ‘Lucho Díaz’.
Apart from the game from below, touch and control, the crosses from the side caused problems for ‘la Verde’, since the throwers were on good footing and The headers were always beating their markers with Córdoba, Yerry Mina and Carlos Cuesta.
But Díaz was inspired and in another individual action he could have scored a great goal, but the shot went over the top. And although after the first half hour it seemed that the Bolivians were going to get a discount, goalkeeper Camilo Vargas saved and gave confidence so that Luis Díaz finally got his goal. It was before the end of the first half with a pass from Deiver Machado and the appearance of the Liverpool winger.
With the end of the first half we saw a lively Colombia, a quite limited Bolivia, but many wondered why. James Rodríguez and his little contribution.
- The second half was left over and it got violent
There were changes to start the second half, Lorenzo and Zago expected the entrants to give answers for the Copa América, especially to add variants and options, but the answers were not as expected. Although The match became back and forth, with actions in the areas and a lot of physical play, no more goals were scored and the quality of the game dropped.
Of course, the Bolivian players understood that the first half was very passive and unambitious, that is why they attacked much more in the second half, but they crashed with a defense that was well stopped and gave few opportunities in the background. With As the minutes passed, due to the high temperature and natural wear, the changes continued to arrive from the banksbut Lorenzo kept James and ‘Lucho’ on the court, something that seemed risky in every sense.
It could be said that the clearest play came again from the left side and in the legs of ‘Lucho’, but Yaser Asprilla wasted the play and the 3-0 remained with less than half an hour remaining. In the last 25 minutes the game was damaged, due to the constant changes, the interruptions in the midfield, but a violent play on Luis Díaz was what led everyone to explode..
Even though he was against the sideline and with his back to the field, César Menacho attacked the winger from the left with violence and aggression, several Colombian players reacted violently and Daniel Muñoz received the red card for a couple of blows. which he sent to the offender’s face. After several minutes of pushing, insults, arguments and protests, Mexican referee Daniel Quintero sent off Menacho.
With 10 on each side and already a distorted match, the figures of each team left the field and the playing time ended with the score 3-0.
Colombia matches in the Copa América 2024
Brazil is the head of Group D, always the favorite for the title, but Colombia is called to surprise the five-time champions in the world and this was shown in the Qualifiers with the 2-1 victory in Barranquilla in November 2024. While Paraguay and Costa Rica complete the zone, hoping to get into the round of 16 and wanting to challenge Lorenzo’s men.
- Date 1: Colombia vs. Paraguay
Stadium: NRG Stadium, Houston
Date and time: Monday, June 24, 5:00 pm (Colombia Time)
TV Channel: Caracol Televisión, Canal RCN and DSports
Link to watch online: Caracol Gol Page – RCN Football Page – DGO
- Date 2: Colombia vs. Costa Rica
Stadium: State Farm Stadium, Glendale
Date and time: Friday, June 28, 5:00 pm (Colombia Time) State Farm Stadium, Glendale
TV Channel: Caracol Televisión, Canal RCN and DSports
Link to watch online: Caracol Gol Page – RCN Football Page – DGO
- Date 3: Colombia vs. Brazil
Stadium: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
Date and time: Tuesday, July 2 – 8:00 pm (Colombia Time) Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara
TV Channel: Caracol Televisión, Canal RCN and DSports
Link to watch online: Caracol Gol Page – RCN Football Page – DGO
