Colombian national team, overwhelming! He beat the United States and gave a warning for what is coming in the Copa América

From the initial formation, Lorenzo began to send messages, not only about his ideas, but about what he is going to take to the Copa América. The two footballers that many consider discarded for the list of 26, Yerson Mosquera and Sebastián Gómez, ended up on the rostrum. All the men he completely trusted appeared as starters, such as Davinson Sánchez, Mateus Uribe and Rafael Santos Borré.

(See here Colombia’s five goals against the United States)

The team responded on the field with a very good first half: they were aggressive, they pressed high, they came out to eat up the field and quickly took the lead: after six minutes, James Rodríguez leaked a ball to Daniel Muñoz. Full-back Antonee Robinson cut off the pass, but left the ball dancing in the area and Jhon Árias took the opportunity to break goalkeeper Matthew Turner’s goal.

Then, at 19, Borré, discussed by people but indisputable for Lorenzo, responded with a great goal from a bicycle kick, after Jefferson Lerma knocked a ball out of the air.

The Americans, despite the two goals against, demanded the defense and found a crack in the right zone, that of Muñoz, which they began to force to open. That’s where the clearest option they had came, in a shot by Christian Pulisic that crashed into the post.

The second half was another thing. United States coach Gregg Berhalter surprised by removing Pulisic. The one who came in, Haji Wright, became a pain in the ass. The locals took the ball away from Colombia, which had refreshed the recovery zone with the entry of Ríchard Ríos for Uribe.

The United States had already been giving warnings before the added time goal, at 14 minutes into the second half, when they moved the ball from left to right, around the area, so that Timothy Weah then finished crosswise and beat Camilo Vargas.

Lorenzo’s reaction was immediate after the goal, to try to recover the ball. Outside, Borré and Arias, and inside, Jorge Carrascal and Jhon Durán. And Colombia took a second breath. Luis Díaz hit the post with a ball, which then traveled the entire length of the line without entering, and then, Turner prevented James Rodríguez’s goal with a swipe, who was applauded shortly after.

Finally, Lorenzo completely refreshed the attack and those who entered plugged in at once. The third goal, at 77, was a burst by Luis Sinisterra and a great shot by Richard Ríos.

Then Juan Fernando Quintero took advantage of all the advantages that the American defense gave to score two goals: one, to Jorge Carrascal, from the left, at 85, and another, to Luis Sinisterra, who entered from the free right to finish. Colombia gave an important warning: it arrives very well at the Cup.

Jose Orlando Ascencio
Sports Deputy Editor
@josasc