Colombia Edge Ghana 1-0 to Reach Last 16, Will Face Switzerland — Arias Scores Only Goal

Colombia beat Ghana 1-0 in the round of 32 at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City to advance to the last 16, where they will face Switzerland.

Colombia had topped Group K with two wins and a draw, while Ghana finished third in Group L with one win, one draw, and one loss.

In the first half, Jefferson Lerma... actually, it was Jhon Arias who tapped in at the back post to give Colombia the lead, while Yerson Mosquera hit the post with a header. Colombia led 1-0 at halftime. In the second half, Luis Díaz had a goal ruled out for offside, and neither side found the net again. Colombia held on to win 1-0 and eliminate Ghana.


Key moments:
In the 1st minute, Jámer Durán's... a long-range right-footed effort from Colombia's Tomás Ángel narrowly missed the left post.
In the 7th minute, Jhon Córdoba tore Ghana defender Alexander Djiku's shirt in a challenge and was later forced off with an injury, replaced by Jhon Suárez.
In the 13th minute, Ghana full-back Denis Odoi was also forced off through injury, replaced by Alidu Seidu.
In the 14th minute, newly-introduced substitute Jhon Suárez delivered a cross, and Jhon Arias, left unmarked at the back post, tapped home easily to put Colombia 1-0 ahead.
In the 39th minute, Daniel Muñoz... a chipped ball from Johan Carlos Puerta into the box was met by Luis Díaz, whose shot struck the side netting.
In the 42nd minute, Jefferson Lerma's cross into the box was headed just over by Jhon Suárez.
In the 45+1th minute, Daniel Muñoz's cross was met by a diving header from Yerson Mosquera, which was superbly saved by goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi.
In the 48th minute, Muñoz played a low ball into the box for Richard Ríos, whose shot slid just past the far post.
In the 57th minute, a through ball from Puerta found Díaz in the box, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
In the 58th minute, Puerta played in Díaz again for a one-on-one chance, but his shot was saved by the goalkeeper.
In the 62nd minute, Ghana made a double substitution, bringing on Fatawu Issahaku and Ernest Nuamah for Mohammed Salisu... (Sbo and I. Williams) coming off.
In the 81st minute, a corner from Juan Fernando Quintero found Davinson Sánchez in the middle of the box, but his header was straight at the goalkeeper and easily caught.
In the 84th minute, Quintero unleashed a long-range effort from outside the box that narrowly missed the target.
In the 90+2th minute, Quintero's cross to the back post found Ríos, whose header went just wide.
In the 90+4th minute, a dangerous cross from Suárez was cleared just in time by goalkeeper Ati-Zigi rushing off his line.


Colombia starting XI: Vargas; Muñoz, Lucumí, Mosquera, D. Sánchez; J. Rodríguez (C), Puerta, Lerma; L. Díaz, Córdoba, J. Arias
Colombia substitutes: Ospina, Montero, S. Arias, Mina, Dita, Machado, Castaño, Ríos, Carrascal, Portilla, Quintero, Hernández, Campaz, Suárez, Gómez
Ghana starting XI: Ati-Zigi; Mensah, Djiku, Lartey, Odoi; Yirenkyi, T. Partey, Sbo, J. Ayew (C), Semenyo, I. Williams
Ghana substitutes: Annan, Asare, Seidu, Ajet, Mumin, A. Baba, Obeng, Owusu, Boakye, Fatawu, Asante, C. Baah, Suleymana, Nuamah, Addo