2nd-half turnaround hands Colombia 3-1 victory over Chile

Colombia produced a clinical second-half performance to come from behind to beat 10-man Chile in the World Cup qualification match in Santiago on Tuesday.

The result means “Los Cafeteros” leapfrog their opponents in the CONMEBOL table and maintain their quest for Brazil 2014 qualification.

The hosts, who had been harshly reduced to 10 men when Gary Medel was shown a red card after 36 minutes, took the lead three minutes before the break through a brilliant Matias Fernandez strike.

Colombia, however, pressed home their numerical advantage after the interval and drew level through a spectacular free kick from James Rodriguez.

The game was turned on its head 15 minutes from time when Radamel Falcao showed just why he is one of the deadliest finishers in the world, sending a low shot past Bravo following a pin-point through ball.

The Atletico Madrid striker then turned provider three minutes later when he played in Teo Gutierrez to finish low past Basso from six-yards.

The visitors were reduced to 10 men with five minutes to go when Abel Aguilar was shown a second yellow card, but it proved insignificant as the points were already wrapped up.

Colombia started the game on the front foot and you could visibly see the confidence oozing through the team with some great link up play in the final third.

It was no surprise then that the visitors created the first chance to open the scoring after 15 minutes. Pablo Armero made good ground down the left before delivering a cross to Falcao, but the in-form striker sent his header over the bar under pressure from two defenders.

As the half wore on Chile began to get a stranglehold on the game with their midfield stifling the creativity of James Rodriguez and Gutierrez in particular. Meanwhile at the other end it took a couple of crude challenges and last ditch defending to prevent David Ospina having to be called into action in the Colombia goal

Falcao once again demonstrated his danger in the air on the half hour mark when he headed over a difficult chance from a corner.

Before the action turned sour on 34 minutes when Chile defender Medel was shown a straight red card after a scuffle with two Colombian players.

Medel was initially involved in pushing and shoving with Juan Camilo Zuniga before he appeared to catch Luis Perea’s face with a flaying hand.

In truth Perera made a meal of the incident, falling to the floor holding his face and giving the referee no choice but to send Medel for an early shower.

The incident seemed to revitalize the hosts and after Falcao missed a golden opportunity with a free header from a corner, Fernandez hit the net with a long-range effort.

The Fiorentina man picked up the ball with his back to goal before hitting a low shot on the turn that nestled into the bottom corner.

Colombia should have been level after six minutes of the second half when Gutierrez header from six-yards was palmed away by Bravo.

It was the first real save the Chilean stopper had to make but he showed great positioning to deny Gutierrez and easy finish.

Bravo was then called into action twice in quick succession two minutes later when he saved a long-range effort before showing quick reactions to deny Falcao from close range.

The reprieve didn’t last long however as Bravo was finally beaten on 59 minutes by a curling 20-yard free-kick from Rodriguez.

Remarkably Rodriguez almost repeated his trick mid-way through the second half from the same position as he had scored from.

This time though the Porto man saw his effort strike the post and rebound to safety.

Falcao then struck to silence the home crowd, before he turned provider to send Gutierrez through on goal, and the in-form forward made no mistake from six yards.

The game ended on a sour note for the visitors when Aguilar was shown a second yellow card for foul play.

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