It is only fitting that the Estadio do Maracana will hold one of the best Round of 16 match ups as Colombia faces Uruguay. Colombia comes into the game looking like one of the best teams in the entire tournament thus far. They swept through their group with swiftness and ease, despite having their star striker Radamel Falcao ruled out injured before the tournament began.
For Uruguay, the controversy surrounding Louis Suarez and his 4-month suspension has overshadowed the fact that they somehow managed to get out of their group in front of both Italy and England. They haven’t looked close to as good as the team that they were four years ago, and that should scare people because they were still able to beat the two European powerhouses.
When Colombia’s captain Mario Yepes was asked about the upcoming game, he responded by saying, “It is going to be a difficult match, very difficult, because we have had the opportunity of watching Uruguay's matches during the World Cup, and we have seen it is a difficult team (to play).” The Colombians were absolutely dominant in their group stage games sailing past Greece, Japan and the Ivory Coast. Jackson Martinez and Juan Cuadrado have looked very good in the attacking third, while James Rodriguez has become arguably the tournament’s break out star.
It will be no easy task for La Celeste when they step onto the famed pitch in Rio. They lost the only game Suarez did not feature in, and will have to improve up front if they want to have a shot at advancing. Uruguayans can find comfort in the fact that Diego Forlan will most likely come into his place, as the Cerezo Osaka won the “Golden Ball” for most goals scored at the 2010 World Cup.
The teams are no strangers, having faced each other three times in the last five years during World Cup qualifying. Uruguay won in 2009 with a score of 3-1, Colombia in 2012, 4-0, and Uruguay once more in 2013, 2-0. It will be a very intense match, as at this point in the tournament, the loser will go home.
The game is set to kick off at 4PM EST and can be seen on ABC and streamed on WatchESPN here if you prefer to watch or livestream the game in Spanish, it can be seen on Univision and live streamed here. Enjoy as “La Celeste” take on “Los Cafeteros” in this elimination game matchup!
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