Colombia superior to the semifinals in Copa América in emphatic style on Saturday, taking down Panama, 5-0, and getting targets from 5 completely different gamers: Jhon Cordoba, James Rodriguez, Luis Diaz, Richard Rios and Miguel Borja.
That stated, Rodriguez was undoubtedly the standout performer within the match, ending with two assists, which made him the primary participant to attain and help on a objective within the first quarter-hour of a Copa América match since 2011, based on FOX Sports activities Analysis.
Rodriguez additionally turned the third participant to have three objective contributions (objective or help) within the first half of a Copa América sport within the final 5 editions of the match, with the opposite two being Lionel Messi (2021) and Clint Dempsey (2016).
When it is all stated and completed, may Rodriguez be named the Participant of the Match?
Melissa Ortiz broke down the Colombian star’s success within the match, after Jimmy Conrad proposed that chance.
“James Rodriguez has been simply stellar. Stellar efficiency, by way of and thru, not solely offensively but additionally defensively, too, since you see his work price,” Ortiz stated. “And I feel he actually units the tone and the vitality of this workforce, and that is why they’re so intense up till the ultimate whistle. He is the engine; he is the motor; he is the guts of this squad. …
“I simply assume that having him as a key element of this squad when he did not even play within the 2021 Copa América, after which now seeing him evolve, it has been extraordinary.”
Rodriguez, who turns 33 later this month, at the moment performs in Brazil with São Paulo, however he holds a wealth of expertise of enjoying in a number of distinguished leagues, together with the Premier League (for Everton), La Liga (for Actual Madrid), and Bundesliga (for Bayern Munich), amongst others. Has he proven sufficient to get one other candy gig?
Wes Morgan made the case for Rodriguez.
“After this show that we have seen up to now on this match, I feel most groups will take him,” Morgan stated. “I feel that No. 10 function, generally you have a look at it as a luxurious function. The particular person’s that is received the liberty. Give them the ball, they usually can specific themselves and blend issues up. I feel Rodriguez is displaying good qualities when it comes to getting on the board and sort of evading the problem and the strain of place. …
“He is had his flip within the Premier League, and it did not work out. After which he is gone on a little bit of a journey, however on this match, he is appeared incredible. I am positive he’d be helpful for any workforce, not simply [in] the Premier League.”
As for Colombia’s thundering win over Panama, they received off seven photographs, together with 5 on objective. In the meantime, Panama received off 14 photographs, together with three on objective — after all, although, to no avail. Colombia beforehand went 2-1-0 in Group D play, beating Paraguay, 2-1, which was adopted by a 3-0 win over Costa Rica and enjoying Brazil to a 1-1 draw.
Colombia will play within the semifinals on July 10 (8 p.m. ET on FS1 and the FOX Sports activities app).
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