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| Colombia's Teofilo Gutierrez
(front) celebrates his goal against Greece during their 2014 World Cup
Group C soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 14,
2014. Credit: Reuters |
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. Defeat
continued Greece's dismal record of never keeping a clean sheet at a
World Cup finals. They have never gone beyond the group stage either, so
will be hoping Group C rivals Ivory Coast and Japan prove easier
opponents.
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| Colombia's Pablo Armero (2nd
L) celebrates his goal against Greece with his teammates during their
2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo
Horizonte, June 14, 2014. Credit: Reuters |
Armero's early goal came after sustained pressure down the right wing,
with a lucky deflection squeezing past keeper Orestis Karnezis. Three
Colombian players looked offside but were deemed not interfering in
play. Gutierrez, with a heavy weight of expectations on his
shoulders given Falcao's absence, scored an easy goal after a corner had
been flicked on. Then Rodriguez, who had looked lively throughout, hit a low shot in stoppage time to send the Colombian fans delirious. Throughout the game, the Colombians targeted Greek left back Jose Holebas, again and again finding space on the right flank. Greek forward Kostas Mitroglou came off the bench in the second half but was unable to provide Greece's missing spark.
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