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Fearless Colombia all set for England clash despite being ‘not favourites’
COLOMBIA defender Carlos Sanchez has insisted the South American side are not favourites against England, “the country that invented football“, when they meet in the World Cup last-16 tomorrow.
England coach Gareth Southgate rested eight firstchoice players in the last group match against Belgium, which they lost 1-0, setting up a meeting with the South Americans rather than the lower-ranked Japan.
The result also meant England avoided the tougher top half of the draw, which features heavyweights including Brazil and France.
The winner of the match between England and Colombia in Moscow will play whoever comes out on top in the clash between Switzerland and Sweden — but first England have to overcome the quarter-finalists from the last World Cup.
“We’re not the favourites, we’re playing against the country that invented football,” said 32year-old Espanyol midfielder Sanchez.
“But we have our own weapons and once the game starts the only thing that matters is on the pitch. Matches like this are won by small details. Colombia fear no one now.”
England striker Harry Kane was rested in the Belgium defeat but is still top of the goalscoring charts in Russia, with five goals in two matches.
However, Sanchez said it would be foolish for Colombia to focus too much on the Tottenham man.
“Harry Kane is an emblematic player who has demonstrated his quality at this World Cup but we are not only facing him, we’re playing against the whole England team, who have a lot of key players,” said Sanchez, who knows English football well, having spent two seasons with Aston Villa from 2014 to 2016.
Meanwhile, Colombia playmaker James Rodriguez is not as badly injured as feared, raising the possibility he could feature in the clash against England.
The Colombian Football Federation (FCF) issued a statement yesterday giving an update on Rodriguez.
“Rodríguez underwent a scan today (yesterday) which showed that he is suffering from minor edema (swelling caused by an accumulation of fluid) in his right leg, but that there has been no muscle tear,” the FCF said.
Rodriguez, who was substituted in the final group game against Senegal, did not take part in training on Saturday and FCF gave no indication of whether he would be fit to face Southgate’s side in Moscow.
Colombia striker Miguel Borja also missed the practice session after he felt discomfort in his knee during Friday’s training.
We’re not the favourites, we’re playing against the country that invented football. But we have our own weapons and once the game starts the only thing that matters is on the pitch. Matches like this are won by small details. Colombia fear no one now.”
Colombia defender