Colombia 2 - Paraguay 1

Photo by Victor R. Caivano

Colombia were confident ahead of their trip to Asuncion, having won their previous three qualifiers in Paraguay.  Jorge Rojas made his intentions known early as his laser shot from distance sailed just wide of the Colombian goal.  Shortly thereafter, Rojas let fly from thirty-one yards out, and the bouncing shot ate up Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina, who allowed the ball to bounce through his arms for the opening goal.  Freddy Guarin was sent off for a second yellow card, picking up his second caution as early as minute 31.  Colombia were down a goal and down to ten men with a hole in the midfield.  Guarin will miss the first match of the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals.  The Cafeteros were not shaken by the turn of events.  A James Rodriguez free kick was headed home from seven yards out by his center back and captain Mario Yepes.  Yepes's goal evened the score at one goal apiece.  Yepes had not scored for Colombia since 2007.  At the break, the match was level at 1-1.

Ospina denied a solid strike from Roque Santa Cruz at his near post.  Carlos Bacca took a shot inside the Paraguayan box after a scramble, forcing a desperate save from Paraguay goalkeeper Justo Villar.  Yepes was on the doorstep and pushed home the rebound to give his team a 2-1 lead.  Paraguay were stunned not to be able to equalize after being denied on a double save.  Oscar Cardozo sent a fast shot into Ospina.  The rebound fell to Santa Cruz, but his one-timed effort was saved off the line by a lunging block from Pablo Armero.  Somehow, in spite of their numerical disadvantage, Colombia created two late chances through Jackson Martinez (pictured, yellow).  Villar saved the first with his chest, but Martinez scuffed the second.  Nevertheless, Colombia win 2-1 despite having only ten men on the pitch for the final hour of play.

Goals
Colombia
Mario Yepes 38, 56

Paraguay
Jorge Rojas 7

Match Reports:
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/soccer-captain-yepes-leads-colombia-2-1-win-023404164--sow.html
http://us.soccerway.com/news/2013/October/16/fifa-world-cup-qualifying-paraguay-1-colombia-2/n242461/

Highlights:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmd0zcOP9zU

Full Match Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-sozG_4M2o