Colombia and Tunisia spent 90 minutes kicking and running into each other, but in between each side managed a goal in a 1-1 draw. The match featured 40 fouls, several injured players and a red card in a match that was anything but friendly.
Colombia vs. Tunisia: Final score 1-1, A violent draw in Barcelona
Colombia and Tunisia will need a lot of ice packs.
Manuel Queimadelos Alonso
The physical play started early and even gave Colombia the opening goal. A beautiful chip over the top played Segundo Ibarbo in on goal, but as soon as he chested the ball, Farouk Ben Mustapha clattered into him. It was a violent clash and Ibarbo was injured on the play, but he did earn a penalty for his pain. James Rodriguez then stepped to the spot and buried his kick to put Colombia up, 1-0.
It only took Tunisia moments to equalize as David Ospina turned a simple bouncing ball at the top of his box into a disaster by coming out but failing to collect. That allowed Wahbi Khazari a chance to score and he did, bringing the match level.
Little more in the match was pretty. There was pushing and shoving after several plays and five yellow cards were handed out, the last of which was Luis Perea’s second and got him sent off. Two players had to be carted off of the field and a few others had to stay down after apparent injuries.
Colombia actually had a chance to win it late as Adrian Ramos’ late lunge turned the ball inches wide of the post so the two teams settled for an ugly and painful draw.
Colombia: Ospina (Mondragon 45’), Yepes, Armero (Balanta 63’), Perea, Arias, Cuadrado (Torres 75’), Ramirez, Rodriguez, Valencia, Bacca (Gutierrez 45’), Ibarbo (Ramos 26’).
Goals: Rodriguez 20’.
Red cards: Perea 81’.
Tunisia: Mustapha, Youssef, Yaacoubi, Jemal (Maacloul 90’), Ragued, Sassi, Mikari (Nater 90’), Mathlouthi, Dhaouadhi (Yahia 77’), Jemaa (45’), Khazri (Ben Youssef 45’).
Goals: Khazri 35’.
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