Colombia beat Paraguay 2-1 at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California Tuesday night, becoming the first team to qualify for the Copa America Centenario quarterfinals and inching closer to a spot in the quarterfinals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle next week.
Colombia got a strong first half performance from James Rodriguez, who factored on both goals despite being considered doubtful going into the match after suffering an injury against the United States over the weekend. On the first goal, Rodriguez took a second corner kick after the shot attempt on the first one was blocked. This time the ball hung up long enough for Carlos Bacca to smash into the back of the net.
The second goal Rodriguez finished himself, after Edwin Cardona found him coming forward on a trailing run.
Paraguay substitutes came on in the second half and brought the team back into it. David Ospina made a fingertip save to stop an Oscar Romero attempt, but he was powerless to keep out the long distance rocket substitute Victor Ayala sent flying by in the seventy-first minute.
Seattle Sounders forward Nelson Valdez made the gameday roster for Paraguay, but did not appear in the match.
Colombia currently sit atop Group A with six points and need only a draw against Costa Rica on June 11 to win the group, or they'll clinch the group if the United States lose or draw against Paraguay.
The winner of Group A will appear in the quarterfinals against the runner-up in Group B at CenturyLink Field on June 16.
Box Score
- 12' - COL - Carlos Bacca (James Rodriguez)
- 30' - COL - James Rodriguez (Edwin Cardona)
- 71' - PAR - Victor Ayala
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