Jhon Arias’ first-half goal earned Colombia a 1-0 victory over Ghana, sending the South Americans into the World Cup last 16 and ending the Black Stars’ campaign.
Colombia Through
Colombia booked their place in the World Cup last 16 with a deserved 1-0 victory over Ghana in sweltering conditions in Kansas City.
Jhon Arias scored the decisive goal after 14 minutes as Nestor Lorenzo’s side produced another convincing display to eliminate the Black Stars and set up a meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver.
The breakthrough came after Luis Suarez, who had replaced the injured Jhon Cordoba, surged down the right flank and delivered a pinpoint cross for Arias to volley home at the far post.
Ghana struggled to create clear opportunities throughout the contest. Thomas Partey came closest when he fired narrowly wide inside the opening minute, but the Black Stars failed to register a single shot on target.
Lawrence Zigi kept Ghana in the game with a series of impressive saves, denying Johan Mojica, Gustavo Puerta and Luis Diaz, while also watching Diaz have a second-half goal ruled out for offside.
Colombia continued to threaten after the break, with Diaz, Juan Fernando Quintero and Davinson Sanchez all going close as the South Americans searched for a second goal.
The defeat ended Ghana’s World Cup campaign. The Black Stars finished the tournament with just four shots in total across four matches and became the seventh of nine African teams eliminated in the Round of 32.
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