2-1: James Rodríguez's Colombia beats New Zealand in the 88th minute

The attacker Johan Carbonerofrom the International Porto Alegregave victory this Saturday to Colombia in the 88th minute with a goal that allowed his team to win 2-1 against New Zealand in a friendly match played in the American city of Fort Lauderdale.

In a game that ended up tangled for the coffee growers, midfielder Gustavo Puerta, 22 years old and with outstanding performances for Racing de Santander, debuted with a goal with his country’s national team shirt in the 3rd minute and had an outstanding performance for a team that dominated the game from start to finish.

However, Colombia received a goal in the 80th minute in a good collective play that was defined by attacker Ben Old, from French Saint-Étienne, and then Carbonero returned the advantage to Argentine Néstor Lorenzo’s team.

The South Americans opened the scoring very quickly, in their first attack, in which James Rodríguez opened the field and found winger Santiago Arias, who sent a low cross that reached Puerta on the edge of the area so that he could finish first and celebrate his first score with the coffee team.

The coffee growers maintained dominance, but the oceanic team took advantage of the spaces to start doing damage under the leadership of their number 10, Sarpreet Singh, from the Serbian FK TSC.

The 26-year-old midfielder had the first opportunity for his team with a cross that opened and almost went into the goal of Álvaro Montero, who slapped the ball out in the 20th minute.

The New Zealanders reached the 29th minute again in a lethal counterattack that ended with a shot by attacker Kosta Barbarouses, who is replacing the star Chris Wood, and that once again put the Colombian goalkeeper in focus, who managed to clear a ball that almost put into his own goal.

Colombia, however, regained full control of the ball and had very outstanding performances from Puerta, Santiago Arias and winger Luis Díaz, who became a constant danger for the rival defense.

The South American team had several opportunities to extend the lead, including a shot by midfielder Jhon Arias that was saved, reliably, by New Zealand goalkeeper Max Crocombe.

In the second half, the coffee growers maintained dominance, under the leadership of Díaz and James, who continue to confirm that they are the two most important players on their team.

Likewise, players like full-back Álvaro Angulo and center back Yerry Mina, who are not regular starters, took advantage of the opportunity that Lorenzo gave them to show a good level and earn points in the race to be among Colombia’s squad for the 2026 World Cup.

However, the exits at the end of the game by Díaz, James and other players caused the coffee growers to give the ball to their rivals who managed to tie the game in the 80th minute when Singh sent a low cross for Old, who beat Montero to celebrate.

The South Americans, who did not look very solid, found the winning goal in the 88th minute when Mina sent a long pass that reached Carbonero, who appeared between the rival centre-backs and sent a shot with which he beat Crocombe one-on-one.

Colombia will play its last match of 2025 on Tuesday when it faces Australia in New York, the day on which New Zealand will play Ecuador in Harrison (New Jersey).