Colombia 1-0 Ghana: Jhon Arias sends Los Cafeteros into World Cup round of 16

Key facts

• Result: Colombia 1-0 Ghana, Round of 32, Kansas City
• Goal: Jhon Arias, 14th minute, from Luis Suarez cross
• Next: Switzerland, round of 16, Vancouver, July 7
• Record: Colombia's first World Cup knockout win since 2014 (2-0 v Uruguay)
• Clean sheet: three consecutive World Cup matches without conceding, a national first
• Ghana: no shots on target across the match; goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi made seven saves
• Injury: Jhon Cordoba forced off in the eighth minute with an apparent groin problem

An early blow, an earlier answer

Colombia's night began with a problem. Striker Jhon Córdoba pulled up injured in the opening minutes, and on came Luis Suárez before the game had found any shape.

Suarez made an immediate mark. On 14 minutes, he burst clear down the right and squared the ball into the penalty area, where Arias met it first time and caressed his shot into the bottom corner.

Colombia dominated after that. Luis Díaz, Davinson Sánchez and Juan Fernando Quintero all had chances to double the lead, and Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi produced the save of the night when he tipped Johan Mojica's header over on the stroke of half-time. They finished with 61% possession and 20 attempts. At the other end, Ghana took eight shots but put none of them on target.

Lorenzo praised how his side protected the lead after failing to add to it. "After creating several chances and not converting, I liked how we defended," he said. "I value the fact that we did not suffer much, apart from the opponent's clear chances."

This is Colombia's first World Cup knockout victory since 2014, when they beat Uruguay 2-0.

Ati Zigi keeps Ghana in it

Goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi made seven saves to keep the score down. He denied Luis Diaz twice, kept out Gustavo Puerta and pushed away a Davinson Sanchez header. Diaz thought he had a second in the 56th minute, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

"We have won absolutely nothing," Diaz said. "These games are very difficult. Every game we've seen has been tight. The good thing and the positive thing is that we're playing very well, we feel comfortable, we are being a family, we are working as a team, and that will work for what is coming."

Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz accepted the outcome. "They controlled much better the game," he said. "The passing, the movements, and doing that, they damaged our fitness and our ability to recover the ball and try to go forward. So, I think the best team won."

A flu-hit squad manages the load

Colombia travel to Vancouver to face Switzerland in the round of 16 on July 7 and their manager is wary. "They have order, but also good players from midfield forward. They play very well. It is going to be a very tough match," Lorenzo said.

Switzerland's tactics are not Colombia's only problem. Several players have been carrying flu-like symptoms.

James Rodríguez, withdrawn at half-time for Juan Fernando Quintero, was among those affected. "There's a tough virus. I'm like this, and many others," the captain said afterwards. His exit was a precaution as Lorenzo's focus is on recovering his team before the match against Switzerland.