On the money. Every time.
There’s something about the way James Rodriguez floats in a set piece – strolling up the ball, flicking his foot to send it spinning towards the six-yard box, but hanging it in the air just long enough to keep the goalkeeper at bay – that makes it incredibly hard to resist.
He has created seven chances from set pieces already at the Copa America; only three players have created more opportunities of any kind, full-stop. And he would have had a third dead-ball assist in an enthralling first half against Brazil if it weren’t for the ruthless geometry of VAR. You’ll often see him trotting from one side of the pitch to the other to take consecutive corners, but the fans are happy to wait.
There’s variety in Rodriguez’s set-piece armoury too. After eight minutes, the 32-year-old sent a wicked free kick careering towards goal, only for it to glance off the crossbar and out of play. It’s a shame it was overshadowed by Raphinha’s effort barely five minutes on.
Then, from a crossing position, he suddenly switches technique; quickly closing his body to try to catch Alisson out. Of course, he very nearly did.
Even if he has lost a yard of pace, Rodriguez always feels like he’s a step ahead. Drifting around behind the two strikers – doing, essentially, whatever he likes – he makes this excellent Colombia side tick.
GO FURTHER
Brazil 1-1 Colombia takeaways: Uruguay awaits Brazil, Colombia tops Group D
