The Colombian national team players in their first match, against Saudi Arabia.
Photo: Colombian Football Federation
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The week was great for Colombian soccer. The U-20 men's team beat Spain 3-2 in the quarterfinals of the World Cup and the senior team beat Mexico in a convincing friendly. Two victories with the same message: something is being done right.
The sub-20 thing has historical value. Colombia had never beaten Spain in an official tournament in any category. But beyond the statistics, there is a feeling of football maturity that is exciting. This group does not shrink, does not break down and plays with personality.
Exciting names are already starting to be heard: Canchimbo, Jordan and Villarreal – author of the triplet against the Spanish – are already pointed out as references of a generation that is just beginning its path. They are guys who interpret the game with intelligence, who understand when to accelerate, when to hold and, above all, show character. If this team transmits something, it is that there is a base, a process and a future.
Now comes Argentina in the semifinals, a classic rival that forces us to raise the level. But after what was seen against Spain, no one can deny that Colombia has earned the right to dream.
In the seniors, the victory against Mexico also left good feelings. Beyond the result, you can see a team with confidence, cohesion and conviction. Under the leadership of Néstor Lorenzo, the team has recovered its identity: a solid, balanced and competitive block. And the numbers back it up.
In these three years of the process, Colombia has not lost a single friendly match. There are more than twenty undefeated matches in that format. That is to say, we are – for better and for worse – world friendly champions. That speaks of seriousness, work and commitment, but it also reminds us of a trait that we must take care of: excess of euphoria.
Because I hope it doesn't give us the usual disease, successism. The U-20 World Cup has not been won yet and Argentina is in front. The Senior World Cup hasn't even started. We have had great victories—against Spain, Germany, Mexico—but they will be of little use if we do not learn to remain calm when defeat comes, which sooner or later comes.
Today everything is going well, and that is celebrated. But it is time to maintain sanity in victory, so as not to end up destroying with the same passion the boys who fill us with hope today.
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