Ospina leads from the back for Colombia

• Ospina has made the third highest number of World Cup appearances for Colombia (eight)
• He played more minutes than anyone in the qualifiers, despite not being a first choice at Arsenal
• He has now gone two matches without conceding in Russia

By Alejandra Rueda with Colombia 

Strain. There is no other word for it. Colombia's Group H coordinate with Senegal was to be determined all the way. In any case, with neither group ready to state their predominance, it was the west Africans who appreciated the advantage of realizing that a 0-0 attract would be sufficient to seal their capability for the Round of 16. Then again, while it stayed goalless, the destiny of Los Cafeteros at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia™ would rely upon the outcome amongst Poland and Japan.

It took until the 74th moment for the gridlock to at last be broken. Yerry Mina jumped to head in the main objective of the diversion, and with that Colombia grabbed a valuable ticket to the second round appropriate out of their adversaries' hands.

Not out of the blue, Mina rose to the event in Russia. Be that as it may, he was not the only one. All through the match, and especially in the end arranges as The Lions of Teranga squeezed for an equalizer, David Ospina was shake strong for Colombia. Two first-half spares had just guaranteed that his group went into the break on even terms. What's more, better was to come later on, when two overcome mediations in two minutes by the goalkeeper had the Samara Arena cheering in appreciation.

Initially, Mbaye Niang's great right-footed shot was beaten away by Ospina in the 77th moment. At that point, following a corner, he wound up hindering the ball ideal on hold after Sadio Mane's header ricocheted towards objective off a Colombian protector.

Keeping the confidence – and clean sheets 

"Senegal gave it their everything until the specific end to assert capability, however luckily for us we could hang on," the Colombian goalkeeper told FIFA.

In a veritable win big or bust apparatus for the South American side, Ospina demonstrated his standard initiative and association in the Colombia objective. Be that as it may, saying this doesn't imply that everything was plain cruising. "You endure a considerable measure at the back, and significantly more so in such close diversions," he conceded. "Those of us at the back, the four or more Carlitos (Sanchez), stay concentrated on helping the group keep a perfect sheet. In these competitions, that is urgent."

Notwithstanding the massive obligation on his shoulders, the goalkeeper did not give the weight a chance to influence his execution. "We needed to keep confidence in our arrangement, that we could score at any minute," pronounced the Colombia No1.


Mina's objective came exactly at the opportune time. The Colombian fans, until then obviously apprehensive, burst into festivity and went ahead to cheer their legends home. However, while his partners celebrated before their loving open, Ospina did as such alone in his six-yard box, before the objective that he had so painstakingly ensured.

Be that as it may, don't question the delight he felt at having accomplished what his group had embarked to do. "[I'm] satisfied with the demeanor, the longing that this group dependably appear," he finished up.

Britain, led by five-objective forward Harry Kane, are next up for Los Cafeteros in the Round of 16. However the Colombian protection, with Ospina in this kind of shape, will be in no temperament to fear anybody.