POLES ROLL OVER
Lewandowski and Co sent home by classy Colombia
IT WAS billed as the match neither side dare lose. As it turned out it was as one-sided as you can get.
Colombia put their stuttering performance against Japan firmly in the past, whereas Poland were even worse than they had been in abject surrender to Senegal.
The knives are out now for the Poles’ 60-year- old coach Adam Nawalka, who was asked directly: ‘Are you going to resign?’ Although he shook his head the date of execution is already fixed for the day after this dismal campaign ends against Japan in Volgograd on Thursday.
Even the influential Kamil Glik, who was given a token substitute appearance, refused to defend his coach. ‘We had no plan, and once we went behind we did not have the fight to come back,’ said the Monaco defender.
Nowalka claimed his side competed well — which they did until the 40th minute — but once Yerry Mina headed Colombia in front it was game over.
Robert Lewandowski cut a disconsolate figure here and was booed by the fans who had worshipped his 16-goal contribution to the qualifying campaign.
Apart from one thunderous right-foot effort thrillingly tipped over by Arsenal keeper David Ospina, Lewandowski looked as ordinary and isolated as the rest of his colleagues, who seemed to have little thirst for the occasion and paid with an early exit from the competition.
An amazing 30,000 Colombians have found their way to Kazan and Saransk, and they roared as Mina’s header was followed by two second-half goals beautifully dispatched by Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado.
In contrast to Lewandowski, the rejuvenated Falcao found redemption for his injuryravaged past, including missing the 2014 finals, with a showing which earned praise from coach Jose Pekerman.
‘Falcao led the line superbly and deserved his goal,’ he said. ‘James Rodriguez also made us stronger, and once we had overcome the physicality of Poland we grew in confidence.’
Cuadrado, who scored a superb solo goal, and Juan Quintero, who claimed two assists, possessed far too much guile for Poland, who have not reached the knockout stages since 1986. Colombia now go head to head with Senegal, who Pekerman acknowledged will present a much sterner test in Samara on Thursday.
‘They have improved with each game,’ he said. ‘I am pleased that we have improved greatly too, but we still have work to do to advance to the next stage.’ POLAND (3-4-3): Szczesny 6; Piszczek 5, Bednarek 5, Pazdan 6 (Glik 80min); Bereszynski (Teodorzyk 72, 5), Krychowiak 6, Goralski 5, Rybus 6; Zielinski 7, Lewandowski 5, Kownacki 5 (Grosicki 57, 5). Booked: Bednarek, Goralski. Manager: Adam Nawalka 5. COLOMBIA (4-2-3-1): Ospina 6; Aris 6, Mina 7, Sanchez 6, Mojica 6; Aguilar 5 (Uribe 32, 7), Barrios 7; Juan Cuadrado 8, RODRIGUEZ 9, Quintero 8 (Lerma 73, 6); Falcao 7 (Bacca 78). Scorers: Mina 40, Falcao 70, Cuadrado 75. Booked: None. Manager: Jose Pekerman 8. Referee: Cesar Arturo Ramos (Mexico) 7. Attendance: 42,873.