Arias strike knocks Ghana out of World Cup

Jhon Arias ends Ghana's World Cup

Ghana are out. Colombia 1–0 Ghana at Arrowhead Stadium, and your World Cup ends in the Round of 32 (2) (3) (9). Jhon Arias scored the only goal in the 14th minute, early, and it held (9) (10) (13).

Colombia keeper Camilo Vargas did not face a single shot on target all match (11). That is how blunt your attack looked. Gideon Mensah and Alidu Seidu went into the book early, Marvin Senaya followed, and Colombia managed the game from there (9).

Luis Diaz missed a big chance in the second half, and Colombia had a goal disallowed, but the 1–0 never looked fragile (13, reddit posts 4, 5).

Queiroz's team goes home

Carlos Queiroz took Ghana to the knockout stage as one of the best third-place finishers, collecting four points in Group L. A 0–0 draw with England, a 2–1 loss to Croatia, and enough from elsewhere to squeeze through. Then Colombia, and nothing left.

James Rodriguez came off at half-time for Colombia, reportedly struggling, heading into their Switzerland tie (15). Colombia coach Nestor Lorenzo said afterwards: "It's nice that some see us as co-favorites. But you have to show it on the pitch" (9).

Fan-reaktioner

The mood is grim and the stats are brutal. Ghana became the seventh CAF team eliminated in the Round of 32, a new record for most teams from one confederation knocked out in a single knockout round. Fans are pointing to the broader African collapse, only one CONMEBOL side (Ecuador) has gone out, but seven CAF teams are done. MisterChip broke down the full list on r/soccer.