00:01Frustratingly, a run of World Cup qualification defeats followed,
00:05before a five-match unbeaten stretch sealed progress to North America.
00:15More than a relief that we were able to seal qualification that has been dragged out,
00:20because 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,
00:37because it could seal our place in the World Cup.
00:40But the points that we've picked up during this entire process,
00:44and the way that we went out and played like we did,
00:47wherever we needed to, and against whoever we faced,
00:50gave us the confidence that we could do it.
00:59So I'm very grateful, very grateful to everyone who supported us,
01:02and also to those who didn't support us,
01:05because they perhaps made us look at it a different way,
01:07from a critical point of view, and that helped us.
01:10So thanks to everyone.
01:19Leading the way for Colombia during this renaissance has been the evergreen James Rodriguez.
01:24In 2024, the veteran was named Copa America Player of the Tournament for steering his side to the decider.
01:33While he was still a teenager, James had already lifted trophies in Argentina and Portugal.
01:38By 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.
01:51But despite threatening, never managed to ascend to the heights of Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
01:57And by 30, they traded in Europe for Qatar.
02:04The man set to inherit James' mantle as Colombia's chief attacking force is Luis Diaz.
02:10The dazzling forward is now with Bayern Munich, after capturing the hearts of the fans of Liverpool.
02:18I'm living a dream.
02:21I'm living a dream.
02:23Things are going my way, and that's what we've always worked toward to achieve great things.
02:30Those goals that you always planned for in your head.
02:33You 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.
02:43But I'm very happy and very grateful to God for the opportunity to be able to qualify for a World
02:48Cup.
02:49To be able to qualify for my first World Cup.
02:52I'm very emotional, very happy for what the team did, because we deserved it.
02:57We've been working hard through these qualifiers, and this is our reward.
03:09David 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.
03:19Although sweeper keeper Kevin Meyer has also impressed Lorenzo.
03:30Lorenzo'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.
03:43The midfield industry is provided by Richard Rios and Jefferson Lerma.
03:55That solid base allows Colombia the freedom to unleash the quality of James and Diaz.
04:00As well as Wolverhampton Wanderers' schemer John Arias.
04:07What might be lacking is a focal point up front.
04:10Diaz 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.
04:23Sporting's Luis Suarez is emerging as a reliable all-round option.
04:27But John Cordoba is also likely to see plenty of action.
04:33While card 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's silver medal demonstrates their potential to go deep at a major tournament.
04:54And with the star power of Diaz and James to call upon.
04:58It is shaping up to be a World Cup with the potential to match the colour and excitement in the
05:03stands.
05:04To be continued...
05:04To be continued...
05:05To be continued...
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