James Rodriguez, now the tournament top scorer, made it five goals in four World Cup games for Colombia, including what may prove to be the highlight of this World Cup. It is human nature to hope that we have not seen the best already, but it is also possible that tonight we did.
Any contender for goal of the tournament will have to go some to top the strike that put daylight between these teams after 28 minutes of stalemate. Before Uruguay had a chance to respond after regrouping in the dressing-room, James – known throughout Colombia by his first name – followed it with a beautifully-worked second four minutes after half-time, and the contest was over.
It was a match of karmic delight. Colombia got what they deserved: a quarter-final date with Brazil that will leave the hosts more than a little apprehensive; Uruguay got what they deserved: nothing and the bum’s rush to the airport. They were confirmed as a one-man team, their shameful indulgence of Suarez’s worst excesses exposed as nothing more than a shield to cover their own inadequacies. Uruguay must tolerate Suarez, for without him they offer so little.
They have played 22 World Cup matches with him since 2010 and have lost five. They have played five without him in that time, and lost four. Once he was gone it was a matter of time before they followed.
How fitting that the architect of their downfall was the player of the tournament so far, 22, but looking younger, an anti-Suarez, playing with a smile not a snarl.
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