COLOMBIA

Appearances: 5 Best finish: Quarter-finals in 2010 Manager: Jose Pekerman Star player: James Rodriguez

This generation of Colombian players has been called the ‘golden generation’ Starting in 2010, Colombia has consistently gone on to produce some top-class players. Russia 2018 will be Colombia’s sixth World Cup appearance. Four years ago, and fresh from their exploits at the Copa America, Los Cafeteros managed to make a huge impact while recording their best-ever finish in the World Cup.

Pitted against the hosts in the quarter-finals, Colombia battled well before going down to a disappointing 1-2 result. Their star of the show, of course, was James Rodriguez — now on loan with German giants Bayern Munich from Real Madrid.

Players like Rodriguez and Falcao have been consistent to the national cause. In 2014, Colombia were pitted against hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals. Expectations were high, but the lesser-known South Americans showed great resilience against Brazil. The hosts didn’t disappoint as they led 2-0. But Rodriguez intervened and scored from the spot in the 80th minute to give Colombia some hope. The home stuck in and defended well as Colombia recorded their best-ever result in a World Cup. Rodriguez’s only goal of the match for Colombia handed the striker the adidas Golden Boot for his total of six goals in the competition, but that was little consolation for the underdogs led by Pekerman.

Going into the 2018 competition, Colombia are brimming with options when it comes to its strikeforce. Alongside Rodriguez there are names like Carlos Bacca, Radamel Falcao, Miguel Borja, Teo Gutierrez, Luis Muriel and Duvan Zapata — all quality strikers with an innate ability to finish before goal.

And then there is the rock-solid David Ospina on goal, making it tough for opponents to get past. Added to this is the strain of consistency running within the squad that is being overseen by Pekerman since the past few years now. The squad has been with each other over a long period, and that, in turn, has led to stability as the side will attempt to go better than their achievements in Brazil four years back.

I want to have a good World Cup and help my teammates get to the semi-finals or the final — why not? It would be great to meet Germany in the final, why not? But that’s a long way away, we need to take things step by step.”

James Rodriguez | Colombian striker