Key events
First email of the session, from someone just named “F”
“Why recast at all? Have Vozinha play himself! The man’s a rockstar. I wonder who will play Vozinha’s mother, though.”
Oh, that’s a tough one!
How Colombia got here …
In Mexico City, they managed the break down Uzbekistan.
DR Congo put up stubborn resistance, as they did against other teams, but Colombia took their second win.
Then they played a game against Portugal.
How Ghana got here …
First, they scored at the death while playing without Thomas Partey, who was denied a visa into Canada.
Then they managed to stay awake in a plodding game against England.
And I don’t know what to make of their game against Croatia at this point.
That was enough to advance as a third-place team.
Reader questions
As you consider what nuggets of wisdom to throw at me over the next couple of hours, please answer this: When the movie on the Argentina-Cape Verde match is made, whom do you cast?
I’m thinking Idris Elba as Vozinha.
Quick facts
Weather: An extreme heat warning in the Kansas City area has just been lifted, but it’s still 32 degrees Celsius, 89 degrees in American degrees. Also 61% humidity, and if you don’t think that makes a difference, spend back-to-back days in Las Vegas and Miami.
Referee: Clement Turpin (France). The VAR lead is fellow Frenchman Jerome Brisard.
Head-to-head: First meeting between these teams.
Best game ever played at the World Cup: Just ended. Wow.
Argentina have taken the lead for the third time against Cape Verde are straining to close it out, which in terms of sentences I ever expected to write would probably be the same probability as “Beau Dure is drafted by the Boston Celtics.”
Lineups
Colombia: Vargas; Mojica, Lucumí, Sánchez, Muñoz; J. Arias, Lerma, Puerta; Díaz, Córdoba, Rodríguez
Subs: Ospina, Montero, Machado, S. Arias, Mina, Ditta, Ríos, Castaño, Gómez, Portilla, Suárez, Quintero, Campaz, Cucho, Carrascal
Fullbacks Mojica and Muñoz started the first two games and will be back in those spots. Suárez started the first two games, but Córdoba took that spot in the Portugal game.
Ghana: Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Opoku, Luckassen, Senaya; Partey, Sibo, Yirenkyi; Williams, Ayew, Semenyo
Subs: Asare, Anang, Adjetey, Oppong, Mumin, Seidu, Baba, Owusu, Nuamah, Bonsu-Baah, Sulemana
Ati-Zigi came off at halftime of the 1-0 win over Panama, and Asare played in goal the rest of the group stage. Opoku was an injury concern after missing the third game, but he’s back starting alongside his replacement in that game (and Ghana’s goal-scorer in the 2-1 loss) Luckassen. Adjetey, who had started all the group games, makes way. Yirenkyi reclaims a starting spot after missing the final group game, replacing Owusu. Ayew and Semenyo have started every game, but Williams gets the nod after playing only 65 minutes in the tournament so far.
Preamble
The last time the World Cup was held in the United States, Colombia were among the favorites. Carlos “El Pibe” Valderrama. Adolfo Valencia. Faustino Asprilla.
And they fell flat. They lost to an unfancied Romanian side. Then their hopes vanished in one of the best games the USA have ever played.
Things were better in 2014 as Colombia blasted their way through the group stage, nudged aside Uruguay in the round of 16, then fell to Brazil in the quarterfinals. James Rodríguez led the way with six goals and is still on the team. The win over Uruguay is Colombia’s lone win in World Cup knockout rounds.
Ghana also have one win in the knockout rounds, and we’ll pause for a moment as US supporters groan at the memory from that 2010 game. (Several US players from that game are doing commentary of some sort this time around.)
So this match brings together two countries that have been on the periphery of the elite but haven’t quite knocked down the door. One of them will take a big step in that direction in a matter of hours.
Hello all, and welcome to …
…
… that’s OK, we’ll wait. The entire planet is watching this game right now:
Beau will be here shortly. In the meantime, here’s a look at this match from Graham Ruthven’s daily watch guide:
What to watch for
Colombia have grown into their role as dark horses, topping Group K ahead of Portugal to set up a favourable last-32 tie against Ghana. While the South Americans have scored more than one goal in just one of their three matches so far, they have shown enough to suggest a deep run could be on the cards.
Ghana have exceeded gloomy pre-tournament predictions by making it this far. Carlos Queiroz has managed to instil a doggedness in his team who have shown their defensive resolve in matches against Croatia, England and Panama. Colombia could find them difficult to break down.
Player to watch: Antoine Semenyo, Ghana – If Ghana are to stand a genuine chance of making the last 16, they’ll need Semenyo in top form. The Manchester City attacker has struggled for service, but is capable of magic with the ball at his feet.
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