Colombia vs. England: 5 key matchups

Colombia and England square off in the round of 16 on Tuesday, July 3. Here are five key matchups that could decide the result. 

The round of 16 match between Colombia and England will be a contrast of styles, featuring some of the game’s biggest stars. While many of Colombia’s best players are based in Europe, this game against England will have a Champions League feel to it. Indeed, it features a bunch of players who are coming off very strong seasons for their respective clubs.

Colombia, winners of Group H, and England, runners-up in Group G, are on what many consider the easier side of the bracket. While England’s stock as a potential semifinalist has seemingly gone up given how well they have played in the group stages, Colombia also have some wonderful players who could eliminate the Three Lions from the World Cup.

England’s Harry Kane, who was rested in the final group-stage match against Belgium, entered the round of 16 as the tournament’s top scorer. Kane has had a formidable World Cup and will need to remain sharp if he hopes to keep scoring.

Colombia are expected to feature James Rodriguez, the revelation of the last World Cup and top scorer with six goals at Brazil 2014. Rodriguez could miss the England game after lasting only 30 minutes against Senegal.

Here’s a look at five key matchups from this game.

Davinson Sanchez vs. Harry Kane

Kane is coming off a wonderful season at Tottenham, and has continued his fine form at the World Cup, scoring five goals so far. Kane is also likely to be marked by Spurs teammate Davinson Sanchez, who has not had a particularly great tournament so far. 

While Kane is adept at dropping deep and creating from a number 10 position, with England he primarily stays high and focuses on occupying the center-backs. As Sanchez knows well, he’s capable of scoring all sorts of goals. If he can keep Kane quiet, he’ll have gone a long way to shutting down England’s attack.

Juan Cuadrado vs. Harry Maguire/Ashley Young

The battle on the right wing between Juan Cuadrado and Harry Maguire/Ashley Young could very well determine who wins this match. Cuadrado has wonderful pace and outstanding dribbling skills. He had a great club season with Juventus and has been wonderful for his country at Russia 2018.

He will face Ashley Young at left wing-back and Harry Maguire and left center-back. England’s 3-1-4-2 should give space for Cuadrado to work in, meaning Maguire will need to be sharp shifting out wide to cover the space young leaves going forward. The Leicester center-back is good on the ball, but he doesn’t excel in one-on-ones, particularly against pacy players like Cuadrado.

With John Stones covering him in behind, perhaps he’ll feel he can be aggressive defending Cuadrado. However he approaches the task, it should make for interesting viewing. 

James Rodriguez vs. Jordan Henderson

Should James Rodriguez be fit and ready to go on Tuesday, then he’ll give the England backline plenty to worry about. Rodriguez is strong in the penalty box, dribbling around defenders and from set pieces. 

With Falcao occupying the center-backs, Jordan Henderson will have to be diligent tracking Rodriguez’s runs infield. The Liverpool midfielder has had a solid tournament so far, but wasn’t really tested against Panama or Tunisia.

Gareth Southgate could always bring in Eric Dier alongside Henderson to provide more stability in the middle, but it’s likely he’ll start the game with Henderson as his lone central midfielder. Against the first good opponent England have faced (Belgiums second XI doesn’t count) and an elite playmaker in Rodriguez, Henderson will have to perform well.

Santiago Arias vs. Raheem Sterling

The battle between Colombia right back Santiago Arias and attacking midfielder Raheem Sterling should also make for a fun time. The 26-year-old Arias, who plays for PSV Eindhoven in the Netherlands, is used to taking on tough and physically imposing players. That experience will serve him well when attempting to mark Sterling.

The Manchester City star can play on the wings and as an attacking midfielder. Only 23, Sterling is a complete player and one that has been very useful for England at this World Cup. He doesn’t score lots of goals (he only has two for England in 40 appearances), but he helps make things happen offensively and his dribbling skills are the Three Lions’ response to Cuadrado.

This should make for a lively contrast of styles. Whether Arias, who likes to push up into the midfield, can shut down Sterling remains to be seen. To date, few defenders have been able to do so at this tournament. Sterling, should be liberate himself of Arias during the game, needs to have a strong match if England want to win this game and go far at this tournament. 

Next: World Cup of outsiders enters knockout stage

Jose Pekerman vs. Gareth Southgate

Both Jose Pekerman, the Argentine charged with managing Colombia since 2012, and Southgate, a relative newbie by comparison since taking over England just two years ago, favor offense. Don’t be surprised, however, if both decide to focus on their defenses and clog the midfield.

Pekerman likes to use a 4-2-3-1, but that could change should James remain sidelined. In that case, Radamel Falcao will have to pick up the slack and try to lead his country to victory. The Colombians aren’t always strong in the back, but its midfield is fast and fluid. Without James, Colombia turns into a 3-4-3 with a much tighter defense and a midfield that pushes up in numbers.

Southgate, who employs a 3-1-4-2, will need to exploit the weaknesses Colombia have demonstrated so far at this tournament. Expect Kieran Trippier to have a big role to play delivering crosses. Again, Kane as the target man remains one of this tournament’s best players. He’ll need to show that against Colombia. While Pekerman has more experience, Southgate has more to work with here.