South American side are not among the favourites but have enough quality to trouble more fancied opponents
Luis Diaz arrives at the World Cup in the best form of his career. The winger left Liverpool last summer for Bayern Munich and there he has transformed from a good player into a fearsome force, something that happens to the opponents.
His goal for Bayern in the swashbuckling, loved-up game of the century that was their Champions League semi-final with Paris Saint-Germain was a joy to behold. Go watch that goal if you missed it. Watch it again if you did watch it the first time. No amount of viewing can be too much.
Receiving a pass from Harry Kane from deep, Diaz displayed a magic first touch to take the ball away from Marquinhos and create space for himself, feigned a shot to disorient the centre-back, and then slammed the ball past goalkeeper Matvei Safonov.
The forward’s combination of pace, direct running and improved finishing means Colombia have one of the best players in the world on their side. Will it be enough to cause an upset against the top sides?
Diaz has become Colombia’s most important player over the past five years but their hopes do not rest solely on him. James Rodriguez, the star of the 2014 edition in Brazil remains one of the key players in the side. Twelve years after scoring that goal and winning the Golden Boot, the former Real Madrid and Bayern player is still the creative hub of the team. Colombia’s 4-2-3-1 system is built around his ability to find passes others do not see and to control the rhythm of attacks.
The third member of Colombia’s key attacking trio is striker Luis Suarez (not that one). Sporting’s prolific centre-forward enjoyed a superb season in Portugal and is Colombia’s most natural goalscorer. His movement inside the penalty area gives Diaz and Rodriguez a target capable of converting the chances they create.
Behind them is a supporting cast that strengthens the case for Colombia as one of the tournament’s potential dark horses. Crystal Palace’s Daniel Munoz has developed into one of the most effective attacking full-backs in the Premier League. His relentless running down the right flank provides width and energy, and his high-level crossing ability makes him a serious threat.
In midfield, his club teammate Jefferson Lerma provides defensive security for Nestor Lorenzo’s side. The midfielder does much of the unglamorous work, protecting the defence and allowing the more creative players to operate higher up the pitch. His partnership with Benfica’s talented and technical midfielder Richard Rios could be crucial.
This core of the team means Colombia are capable of winning a game against any side in the tournament, although to produce their best World Cup performance, Diaz will almost certainly have to be decisive.
