Colombia dey seek to win only im second knockout match for World Cup history when dem face Carlos Queiroz im stubborn Ghana for round of 32.
Los Cafeteros impress for group stage by collect seven points and top Group K ahead of Portugal. A draw with Cristiano Ronaldo and co. Uzbekistan and DR Congo, then set up tie with Ghana, wey finish third for Group L.
The Black Stars change manager just 72 days before tournament begin, but that decision don pay off. An impressive draw with England come after last-gasp win over Panama, with Ghana low defensive block being im greatest asset this summer.
Whether Queiroz fit inspire better attacking performance from this team remain to see, but the rearguard go once again dig in for arduous battle. Colombia get some stellar offensive threats wey fit torment any backline.
The South American giant get unsatisfactory record for knockout stages of World Cup, but allure of round of 16 meeting with Switzerland or Algeria go offer immense motivation to Néstor Lorenzo men on Friday.
This summer final round of 32 clash fit be marathon. Colombia and Ghana don score combined six goals and concede just three so far for this World Cup, the latter don be particularly negative and defensive-minded for im approach.
Ghana no expect to change tack now and go seek to frustrate Los Cafeteros from outset, closing gaps for midfield and, most crucially against Colombia, wide areas.
Whether Lorenzo men fit overcome stubborn backline remain to see, but if Colombia indeed progress, im unlikely to blow Ghana away. The team be favorite for good reason, but go still find life tough against Black Stars.
Lorenzo make several changes against Portugal from DR Congo victory, including rest Colombia top scorer of tournament, right back Daniel Muñoz. The Crystal Palace defender go return on Friday.
Sporting CP striker Luis Suárez go also make im comeback into XI as he search for first-ever World Cup goal to cap excellent debut season for Portugal. For left back, Johan Mojica should replace Deiver Machado.
Luis Díaz be most obvious threat wey Ghana must nullify, but 34-year-old icon James Rodríguez also require special attention as he float across front line.
Colombia predicted XI vs. Ghana (4-3-3): Vargas; Muñoz, Sánchez, Lucumí, Mojica; Arias, Lerma, Puerta; Rodríguez, Suárez, Díaz.
Antoine Semenyo be slight doubt for Friday match, but Ghana talisman should still feature from start, even if he force to make early exit due to ongoing ankle issue.
Benjamin Asare should retain im place for XI due to injury sustain by usual first-choice goalkeeper Lawrence Ati-Zigi. Jonas Adjetey and Elisha Owusu both withdraw at halftime against Croatia last time out, but neither expect to lose dem starting place as Queiroz likely name unchanged XI.
Ghana predicted XI vs. Colombia (4-3-3): Asare; Senaya, Adjetey, Luckassen, Mensah; Owusu, Partey, Sibo; Semenyo, Ayew, Sulemana.
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Ewan Ross-Murray be freelance soccer writer wey focus primarily on Premier League. Ewan born for Leicester, but im heart and club allegiance belong to Liverpool.
There be just one more match for round of 32, and Ghana go take on Colombia from Kansas City, Missouri. With one final spot left for round of 16, e go be cauldron for KC, and one man dey charge of keeping order. That man name be Clement Turpin.
A French referee wey don around block for im career. This go be third match for charge during this World Cup after do England-Croatia match and Paraguay-Austria for group stages.
Turpin don be FIFA referee since 2010 and for UEFA Elite group since 2012. He don dey charge of Champions League matches, Euros and last two World Cups. He whistle im first knockout round match for last World Cup for Qatar when Brazil beat Korea 4-1.
The match officials for @FIFAWorldCup matches 86, 87 and 88 don be appointed. He dey back for knockout round tonight as Colombia and Ghana go look to book dem ticket to round of 16.
Colombia don be dealt tough blow with very narrow offside call against Portugal wey take what would be late go ahead goal off board. Dem go hope to avoid same fate from Kansas City tonight against Black Stars.
For club level, Turpin don be selected to officiate UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid. Real Madrid win that match 1-0 over Reds from Stade de France.
