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A20 SPORTS
Monday 25 June 2018

Falcao scores, Colombia beats Poland 3-0 at World Cup

By SAMUEL PETREQUIN Both teams lost their Group in the second half, show-
AP Sports Writer H openers and knew an- ing good counterattacking
KAZAN, Russia (AP) — Four other loss would end their qualities. Quintero came
years after Radamel Fal- hopes of advancing. Co- close in the 56th minute
cao was supposed to lead lombia will next face Sene- on the break, but his goal-
Colombia at the World gal on Thursday in Samara bound shot took a deflec-
Cup, he’s doing just that. with a chance to win the tion.
Falcao missed the tourna- group, while Poland will Cut off from the rest of his
ment in Brazil with a knee play Japan in Volgograd. teammates, Robert Lewan-
injury and had to wait un- Senegal and Japan drew dowski had a few attempts
til arriving in Russia to score 2-2 earlier Sunday and lead but could not convert his
his first World Cup goal. It the group with four points rare chances.
came in Colombia’s 3-0 each. GROUP DYNAMICS
victory over Poland on Sun- Mina out-jumped the Po- Colombia is still alive
day. land defense to head in the ahead of its final match
“It’s a dream goal,” Falcao opening goal from James against Senegal and can
said. “I’m happy for the vic- Rodriguez’s cross, reward- still win the group, while Po-
tory, for the team’s perfor- ing a spell of domination by land can only hurt Japan’s
mance and the goal that the Colombians. chances of advancement.
I scored, which I’ve been Rodriguez’s through ball KEY TO SUCCESSES
waiting for for many years.” after Poland lost posses- Given his first start after fully
The victory kept Colombia sion in midfield led to the recovering from a calf in-
in the running for a spot final goal. Cuadrado col- jury, Rodriguez lived up to
in the round of 16 and lected the pass and rushed expectations. He pressed
knocked out Poland, the toward the box, timing his relentlessly, tracked back
first European country to be shot perfectly to beat goal- and delivered an assist for
eliminated. Colombia’s Radamel Falcao celebrates after scoring the keeper Wojciech Szczesny. Mina.
Falcao, Colombia’s all- second side goal past Poland goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny Poland got off to an ag- Rodriguez has now been
time leading scorer with 30 during the group H match between Poland and Colombia at gressive start in the hot and directly involved in nine
goals, made sure he would the 2018 soccer World Cup at the Kazan Arena in Kazan, Russia, humid Tatarstan capital, goals in seven World Cup
stay healthy for this year’s Sunday, June 24, 2018. pressing high and winning appearances for Colom-
World Cup by sitting out Associated Press most of the duels in the bia, scoring six and assist-
several matches with his the fact that he scored was scored with the outside of opening minutes. ing on three. He formed an
Monaco club this season. very important, not just for his foot in the 70th minute Colombia gradually settled excellent partnership with
So far, so good. today but for the matches after a superb pass from in, though, with Quintero Quintero to create some
“We always hope that he to come. playmaker Juan Quintero providing attacking width beautiful play for Colom-
can score and hope that “He is a symbol of the na- in the back of the defense. and Cuadrado proving bia.
he can be fit as he was to- tional team. He is a symbol Yerry Mina scored the first dangerous with his subtle Besides scoring, Mina was
day, and we want to help of Colombian football.” goal in the 40th and Juan moves on the edge of the also excellent in containing
him,” Colombia coach Playing some scintillating Cuadrado completed the box. Lewandowski throughout
Jose Pekerman said. “I think soccer in Kazan, Falcao win in the 75th. Colombia slowed the pace the match.q

Who’s in and who’s out at the World Cup

MOSCOW (AP) — Who’s Australia, which has one the knockout stage. Serbia
in, who’s out and possible point. Peru has been elimi- meets Brazil on Wednes-
scenarios at the World nated. Denmark plays day, likely needing a win.
Cup: France on Tuesday, when Switzerland plays Costa
GROUP A Australia takes on Peru. Rica at the same time.
Russia and Uruguay have GROUP D Costa Rica has been elimi-
clinched berths in the Croatia has secured a nated.
round of 16 and play each trip to the second round GROUP F
other Monday to deter- and tops the group with Mexico leads with six
mine who wins the group. six points. Nigeria (three points but isn’t safe yet.
Egypt and Saudi Arabia points) will advance with If defending champion
have been eliminated. a win over Argentina (one Germany defeats South
GROUP B point) on Tuesday, when Korea on Wednesday and Senegal’s Cheikhou Kouyate, left, and Sadio Mane greet
supporters at the end of the group H match between
Morocco has been elimi- Iceland plays Croatia. Sweden simultaneously Japan and Senegal at the 2018 soccer World Cup at the
nated, leaving Portugal But Iceland (one point) or tops Mexico, three teams Yekaterinburg Arena in Yekaterinburg, Russia, Sunday, June
and Spain (four points the last-place Argentines would finish with six points, 24, 2018.
each) and Iran (three) to could survive with a win sending it to tiebreakers Associated Press
compete for two spots. and a Nigeria loss or tie, that start with the best round emphatically — Bel- GROUP H
Spain plays Morocco on depending on goal differ- goal differential. If Mexico gium with a 5-2 drubbing Japan and Senegal lead
Monday, when Portugal ence. and South Korea win, Mex- of Tunisia and England the group with four points
meets Iran. GROUP E ico would win the group with a 6-1 thrashing of Pan- apiece after their 2-2 draw
GROUP C Brazil and Switzerland and the other three teams ama. They play each oth- on Sunday. Colombia
France has advanced and have four points apiece, would be tied. er on Thursday to deter- beat Poland 3-0 to keep
leads with six points. Den- Serbia has three, and any GROUP G mine who wins the group. it in the running for a spot
mark is second with four of them could grab one Belgium and England Tunisia and Panama have in the knockout round. Po-
after a 1-1 draw against of the group’s two spots in moved to the second been eliminated. land was eliminated.q