Colombian striker Carlos Bacca. (Photo : Getty Images)
Mercurial team Colombia (2-2-1, 7 points) is scheduled to host current tournament leaders Ecuador (4-0-1, 13 points) in a CONMEBOL 2018 World Cup qualifiers match at the Estadio Metropolitano Roberto Meléndez in Barranquilla, Colombia this Tuesday, March 29th.
Colombia is having an up-and-down campaign so far as they alternated winning, losing and playing in a draw during their first five outings in the said qualifying tourney. The team will look to build a winning run against a streaking Ecuador squad in this game.
Their most recent match was a tough 3-2 victory over lowly Bolivia at the Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz, Bolivia during matchday 5 last Thursday, as reported by Goal.
Real Madrid midfielder James Rodriguez opened the scoring for Jose Pekerman's side right at the 10th minute and made it a 2-0 lead four minutes before the halftime break with a goal from AC Milan striker Carlos Bacca.
La Verde put up a fight with two goals in the second half, at the 50th and 62nd minutes from winger Juan Carlos Arce and midfielder Alejandro Chumacero, to level the count with lots of time left in the game.
The match looked headed to another draw for Los Cafeteros, but midfielder Edwin Cardona netted one in stoppage time to give the win and three points to Colombia.
Meanwhile, Ecuador continued their undefeated streak in the tourney as they settled for a 2-2 draw with Paraguay at the Estadio Olímpico Atahualpa in Quito, Ecuador also in matchday 5, as per the Business Standard.
West Ham United forward Enner Valencia gave the early lead to La Tricolor with a goal at the 20th minute. However, Paraguay came from behind to grab the lead one minute before the hour mark with a brace from FC Ingolstadt striker Dario Lezcano at the 38th and 59th minutes.
In danger of having their first loss right at their own home stadium, head coach Gustavo Quinteros' boys managed to equalize the game again during stoppage time with a late goal from substitute winger Angel Mena.
The predicted result is a 1-0 decision for Colombia to snap Ecuador's unbeaten run.
Colombia starting lineup (4-5-1 formation): Ospina; Diaz, O. Murillo, J. Murillo, Medina; Torres, Celis, Perez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado; Bacca
Ecuador starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Dominguez; Ayovi, Erazo, Achilier, A. Valencia; Noboa, Bolanos; Montero, Cazares, Martinez; E. Valencia
