On Saturday I donned my Colombian football shirt (or jersey for our U.S readers) and headed out to watch Colombia vs. Greece in the Brazil World Cup 2014. This was a massively hyped occasion, especially in Colombia, but around the world too. Football fans in the know have been tipping this Colombia side for a while now, and it was time for them to impress on the biggest stage imaginable. They certainly responded. Here are my thoughts on the game and the aftermath:
The Game
The game itself was always going to play second fiddle to the significance of the occasion: I got the feeling that a scrappy 1-0 win would have still prompted delirious scenes. Luckily the boys in yellow didn’t disappoint, almost completely dominating the game and walking away with a 3-0 win for their trouble. Pablo Armero’s scuffed strike for the first goal was no classic, but the choreographed dancing celebration will be a highly replayed World Cup moment, and gave the rest of the world a taste of what Colombia (and this attacking side) is all about. The crowd were fantastic for this as well: full of Colombian fans, they danced and sang throughout.
After this early goal, Colombia settled, perhaps even a bit too much. Greece had a couple of windows back into the game, and Los Cafeteros will have to cut down on the defensive lapses before their next game. Better opponents won’t be so forgiving. Eventually though, the pressure and possession told, and Colombia were able to bag two more goals later in the game: Teo Gutierrez justifying his selection over Jackson Martinez and Carlos Bacca with a poacher’s goal, before James Rodriguez capped an excellent display with an impressive strike from the edge of the area.
Juan Cuadrado’s performance certainly also deserves a mention: full of running, his quick turn and pass for the first goal, and cheeky flick for the third were assists right out of the top drawer. He will cause plenty more defences a headache before this World Cup is done, as will Colombia. This game was important, not just as a vital win in the first group stage game, but also to show the world that Colombia are a side to be taken seriously; not just this year’s hipster’s choice of team.
The Celebrations
This was the important part really! Like I said, the game needed to be won, but this crowd were really itching to celebrate a triumph in Colombia’s return to the biggest stage after 16 years….and boy, did they celebrate! I can honestly say that I have never experienced a football atmosphere like I did on Saturday, and I lived in Manchester throughout their trophy laden seasons between 2007 and 2011. Celebrations there were nothing compared to those in the streets of Bogota on Saturday afternoon.
The noise of car horn and vuvuzelas filled the air, and everybody seemed to be covered in a thick layer of white foam or wet flour, as revellers took it upon themselves to coat anyone who seemed a bit too clean. I’ve only just managed to get my Colombia shirt clean so I can wear it for the next game!
Thousands took to the streets and celebrated as if Colombia had just lifted the trophy. Even the supermarkets hosted impromptu parties, as revellers queued up to buy as much beer as they could carry. People brought instruments into the streets and started up ramshackle little bands as the punters danced and chanted.
All in all it was an amazing day, and yet another day when I felt proud to call this country home. This was a real outpouring of emotion on a day that was perhaps more significance than many people outside Colombia realize. The complete failure in the ’94 World Cup and it’s tragic aftermath have become symbolic of Colombian football around the world which is a real shame because there is so much more to this nation that those associations. It’s also a real shame that the talented squad of ’94 will always be remembered that way, but this was a chance for the arguably more talented squad of ’14 to do their bit to show the world that things are changing. They did this in admirable style, and the public responded with admirable celebrations. Bring on the Ivory Coast! Vamos Colombia!
Chris
