00:01Frustratingly, a run of World Cup qualification defeats followed,
00:04before a five-match unbeaten stretch sealed progress to North America.
00:14More than a relief that we were able to seal qualification that has been dragged out,
00:19because we weren't able to achieve the right results, even when we played well.
00:25Still, we knew that this was possible.
00:33I told the players that this was going to be an important game,
00:36because it could seal our place in the World Cup.
00:40But the points that we've picked up during this entire process,
00:43and the way that we went out and played like we did,
00:46wherever we needed to, and against whoever we faced,
00:49gave us the confidence that we could do it.
00:58So I'm very grateful, very grateful to everyone who supported us,
01:01and also to those who didn't support us,
01:04because they perhaps made us look at it a different way,
01:06from a critical point of view, and that helped us.
01:09So thanks to everyone.
01:18Leading the way for Colombia during this Renaissance has been the evergreen James Rodriguez.
01:23In 2024, the veteran was named Copa America Player of the Tournament for steering his side to the decider.
01:32While he was still a teenager, James had already lifted trophies in Argentina and Portugal.
01:37By the age of 23, he had the 2014 World Cup golden boot in his collection.
01:46He went on to win silverware for fun at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.
01:50But despite threatening, never managed to ascend to the heights of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
01:56And by 30, they traded in Europe for Qatar.
02:03The man set to inherit James' mantle as Colombia's chief attacking force is Luis Diaz.
02:09The dazzling forward is now with Bayern Munich,
02:12after capturing the hearts of the fans of Liverpool.
02:17I'm living a dream.
02:21I'm living a dream.
02:22Things are going my way, and that's what we've always worked toward to achieve great things.
02:29Those goals that you always planned for in your head.
02:32You always dream of qualifying, of winning trophies, of all these great moments.
02:37But you never think that it's going to be like it is.
02:42But I'm very happy and very grateful to God for the opportunity to be able to qualify for a World
02:48Cup.
02:48To be able to qualify for my first World Cup.
02:51I'm very emotional, very happy for what the team did, because we deserved it.
02:56We've been working hard through these qualifiers, and this is our reward.
03:08David Ospina is the most capped player in Colombian history.
03:12But the veteran gloveman's place in the team now looks to have been taken by long-time understudy Camillo Vargas.
03:18Although sweeper keeper Kevin Meyer has also impressed Lorenzo.
03:29Lorenzo's flat-back four is marshaled by centre-halves of the highest quality.
03:34Davinson Sanchez and John Lukumi, with the imposing Yeri Mina waiting in the wings.
03:43Midfield industry is provided by Richard Rios and Jefferson Lama.
03:54That solid base allows Colombia the freedom to unleash the quality of James and Diaz.
04:00As well as Wolverhampton Wanderers schemer John Arias.
04:06What might be lacking is a focal point up front.
04:09Diaz was the team's leading goalscorer during qualifying, cutting in from the wing.
04:15While no individual scored more than two goals at the most recent Copa America.
04:22Sporting's Luis Suarez is emerging as a reliable all-round option.
04:26But John Cordoba is also likely to see plenty of action.
04:32Wildcard John Duran offers a thrilling option off the bench.
04:40Colombia have been ranked inside FIFA's top 20 for well over a decade.
04:44Their recent long unbeaten run and Copa America silver medal demonstrates their potential to go deep at a major tournament.
04:53And with the star power of Diaz and James to call upon.
04:57It is shaping up to be a World Cup with the potential to match the colour and excitement in the
05:02stands.
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