Jhon Arias double gives Colombia confidence in final World Cup preparation

Colombia concluded their World Cup preparations with a confident 2-0 victory over Jordan in San Diego. Midfielder Jhon Arias was the standout performer, scoring both goals to give Colombia a morale boost heading into the tournament.

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The player from Palmeiras, Jhon Arias, gave a golden finish to Colombia's preparation in the Snapshot Stadium in San Diego, in a difficult match in which the Jordanians bothered the Cafeteros, who found a solidity in the central defenders Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí that they missed in several matches.

The match, played at the Snapshot Stadium, presented a challenging encounter where Jordan's speed and pressing game initially troubled the Colombian side. Jordan had an early chance when Mohannad Abu Taha's long-range shot hit the post. However, Colombia's defense, anchored by Davinson Sánchez and Jhon Lucumí, showed improved solidity compared to previous matches.

Colombia began to find their rhythm, with midfielder Gustavo Puerta playing a key role in linking play. The opening goal came in the 41st minute after a well-worked team move. Puerta initiated the play, James Rodríguez provided a key pass, and Arias, despite a stumble, managed to score with a cross-shot past the Jordan goalkeeper Yazeed Abulaila.

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The Arabs came out to press high and to do damage with their speed. That's how they had the first clear chance in the fifth minute with a very powerful long-range shot from full-back Mohannad Abu Taha that hit the post.

In the second half, Colombia extended their lead in the 55th minute. A collaboration on the right flank involving Lerma, James, and Santiago Arias led to a cross that Jhon Arias headed home for his second goal. Colombia had further opportunities to increase their margin through Juan Camilo Hernández, Richard Ríos, and Jaminton Campaz, while Jordan struggled to regain their earlier fluency after making substitutions.

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With the match being a hard-fought contest, the Colombians maintained ball control and managed to open the scoring in the 41st minute with a great collective play that started with Puerta and went through James, who provided a through ball to Arias who, despite stumbling, managed to get off a cross-shot impossible to save for Yazeed Abulaila.

Jordan will open their World Cup campaign against Austria on June 16, while Colombia will face Uzbekistan on June 17 in their opening match of Group K.

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In the second half, both teams made many changes and that favored Colombia, who extended their lead in the 55th minute with another good association, this time on the right flank, in which Lerma joined James and full-back Santiago Arias, who sent a cross for Arias to head home between the opposing center-backs to celebrate his second goal of the afternoon.