03:58 PM
Few footballers can say that they put the world at their feet in the mythical Maracanã stadium from Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil. One of them is the Colombian midfielder James Rodrigueztoday captain of the national team for the duel against Costa Ricawhich starts at 5:00 pm (our country’s time), valid for the second date of the group stage of the Copa America 2024.
James wrote his name in the history of that stadium a decade ago. On June 28, 2014, he established himself as one of the figures of the World Cup that was played in Brazil. Not only because he scored the two goals with which Colombia beat Uruguay 2-0 in the round of 16 of the World Cupbut because one of them left everyone with their mouths open.
It was the 28th minute of the match. Colombia was attacking with intensity, but in an orderly fashion. They made a long pass into the area. One of the Uruguayan defenders cleared it with a header. Abel Aguilar headed the ball back. James Rodríguez stopped it on his chest and kicked the ball without letting it fall, like a chalaca.
The ball hit the crossbar and entered the goal defended by Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.. The Creoles scored their first goal. The thousands of fans who came to the Maracaná celebrated with unleashed euphoria.
That goal was chosen as the best of that edition of the World Cup. It was also the goal that allowed James to achieve worldwide fame. After that goal, his arrival at Real Madrid was confirmed at the request of Carlo Ancelotti and wish of the team president Florentino Pérez.
That goal too was voted the best in the world in 2014. He was the most voted by the people among those chosen by FIFA for the Puskas awardHe took it. He received it while he was a player for the Merengue team.
Rodríguez, 32, hopes to celebrate the anniversary of the goal that made world football history on Friday evening by putting in a good performance in the national team’s second game in this edition of the continental tournament.
