Colombia return to the WC with a bang

Colombia celebrated their first World Cup appearance since 1998 with a deserved 3-0 win over Greece in a free-flowing display that showed their abundance of attacking talent even without top striker Radamel Falcao.

The South Americans made a blistering start with left back Pablo Amero scoring with a 5th minute deflected shot. Striker Teofilo Gutierrez extended their lead, stabbing home a 58th minute corner, and midfield James Rodriguez added a late third goal to seal the win.

The Group C opener in Belo Horizonte’s Estadio Mineirao showed that Colombia remain a force to be reckoned with despite the injury to Falcao, which overshadowed their buildup to the tournament.

Greece had plenty of chances themselves.

In their best opportunity, veteran striker Fanis Gekas hit the bar with a header when it looked easier to score soon after Colombia’s second goal.

Vassilis Torosidis put a header just wide, Panagiotis Kone saw a shot well saved and Giorgos Samaras struck just wide for the normally defence-minded Greeks, who were forced to attack after Colombia’s early goal.

The result pumped up an already pulsating atmosphere among the majority Colombian crowd. The yellow-decked South American fans were thrilled at seeing their team back at football’s top table after being shut out since their great sides of 1990s.
That joy was in evidence after Colombia’s first goal, when the players danced together in probably the most joyous celebration so far of the Brazil World Cup.