JAMES RODRIGUEZ’S World Cup career lives on – despite being subbed off at half-time.
The Colombian playmaker, 34, shone at the 2014 tournament with his sensational volley helping him to the Golden Boot.
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Colombia beat Ghana to reach the World Cup last 16 Credit: Getty
James Rodriguez was subbed off at half-time Credit: Getty
But on his record-equalling 130th cap, he struggled to make an impact in the final last-32 clash with Ghana in Kansas City and was hooked at the break.
Thankfully for Rodriguez, Jhon Arias delivered the goods for the South Americans with the only goal of the game to set up a showdown with Switzerland in the next round.
Thomas Partey made a fast start for Ghana as he flashed a sweet strike just wide inside the first minute.
But then came an injury double whammy as both Colombia striker Jhon Cordoba and Ghana defender Marvin Senaya hobbled off.
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It was the first time ever in a World Cup match that both teams were forced into a substitution inside the opening 15 minutes.
And there was still time in the first quarter of an hour for Colombia to take the lead.
Sub Luis Suarez dug out a cross at the second attempt and ex-Wolves man Arias arrived at the back post to sweep home on the volley.
Luis Diaz’s snapshot half-volley went just the wrong side of the post and Black Stars goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi did brilliantly to ensure his side did not fall further behind before the break.
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Johan Mojica drifted in unmarked at the back post as another cross from the right – this time from Daniel Munoz – and headed goalwards, only for Zigi to claw it off the line.
Rodriguez came out for the second half – but only to take his seat on the bench.
It was unclear if the decision was enforced due to injury or a tactical switch – although he did not look best pleased.
The ageing legend was replaced by Richard Rios.
Jhon Arias kept his cool at the back post with a neat finish Credit: Getty
Lawrence Ati Zigi made a great save to deny Johan Mojica Credit: Reuters
Luis Diaz’s goal was ruled out for offside Credit: Reuters
Antoine Semenyo struggled to have any impact Credit: AP
Diaz thought he had made it 2-0 ten minutes after the break when he slid home at the back post before a delayed flag went up.
And Diaz should have made it 2-0 moments later.
Gustavo Puerta held it up well on the counter, spun brilliantly and unselfishly fed Diaz but he mishit his shot straight at Zigi and was denied his 31st goal of the season for club and country.
Antoine Semenyo struggled to get into the game as his disappointing World Cup campaign fizzled out.
Ghana offered very little to get back into the game, failing to register a single shot on target.
At the other end, Juan Fernando Quintero – who excelled after coming on for goalscorer Arias – whistled a powerful strike from range just wide as Colombia pushed for a second to seal it.
