Atletico Madrid star Radamel Falcao Garcia scores injury-time winner as Colombia scrape past Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz.
Colombia debuted with a triumph in the 2014 World Cup qualifiers, after beating Bolivia 2-1 in La Paz, despite the clear effects of playing at 3,650 metres above sea level. Dorlan Pabon and Radamel Falcao Garcia scored Colombia's two goals at the Hernando Siles stadium.
Leonel Alvarez's side started strongly and as early as in the third minute already tested Bolivia goalkeeper Daniel Vaca, through a Teofilo Gutierrez drive.
From the 10th minute onwards, Bolivia dominated their opponents and looked dangerous each time they pushed forward, particularly down both flanks.
Rudy Cardozo, who scored one of Bolivia's two goals against Uruguay, was extremely lively and he almost got the better of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in the 15th minute, with a powerful shot.
Colombia's best chance of the half came late on, when Fredy Guarin almost lobbed a long-range shot over Vaca.
Bolivia continued to be the better side, however, they couldn't turn their opportunities into goals.
They were made to pay for their lack of finishing, when Pabon put Colombia ahead three minutes into the second period, with a well-placed crossed shot.
Colombia did their best to control their slender advantage throughout the half, as they sat back and allowed a desperate Bolivia to bring the game to them.
While Colombia were clearly feeling the effects of playing at such a high altitude, Bolivia couldn't take advantage of this.
This was until the 85th minute, when Walter Flores beat Colombia goalkeeper Ospina with a drive from outside of the area to draw the hosts level.
However, their joy lasted shortly, as three minutes into injury time substitute Falcao met a Dayro Moreno ball with a calm finish, after James Rodriguez had broken on a swift counterattack down the left flank for the Colombians.
The last time that Colombia had beaten Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz was way back in 1983, for the Copa America.
Leonel Alvarez's side started strongly and as early as in the third minute already tested Bolivia goalkeeper Daniel Vaca, through a Teofilo Gutierrez drive.
From the 10th minute onwards, Bolivia dominated their opponents and looked dangerous each time they pushed forward, particularly down both flanks.
Rudy Cardozo, who scored one of Bolivia's two goals against Uruguay, was extremely lively and he almost got the better of Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina in the 15th minute, with a powerful shot.
Colombia's best chance of the half came late on, when Fredy Guarin almost lobbed a long-range shot over Vaca.
Bolivia continued to be the better side, however, they couldn't turn their opportunities into goals.
They were made to pay for their lack of finishing, when Pabon put Colombia ahead three minutes into the second period, with a well-placed crossed shot.
Colombia did their best to control their slender advantage throughout the half, as they sat back and allowed a desperate Bolivia to bring the game to them.
While Colombia were clearly feeling the effects of playing at such a high altitude, Bolivia couldn't take advantage of this.
This was until the 85th minute, when Walter Flores beat Colombia goalkeeper Ospina with a drive from outside of the area to draw the hosts level.
However, their joy lasted shortly, as three minutes into injury time substitute Falcao met a Dayro Moreno ball with a calm finish, after James Rodriguez had broken on a swift counterattack down the left flank for the Colombians.
The last time that Colombia had beaten Bolivia in the altitude of La Paz was way back in 1983, for the Copa America.
