Thursday’s clash between two World Cup favorites saw Colombia come away from a soldout King Baudouin Stadium with a 2-0 win against Belgium. AS Monaco striker Radamel Falcaoopened the scoring in the 52nd-minute by breaking the offside trap and rounding Belgium goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. Fifteen minutes later, substitute Victor Ibarbo put the match awaywith a controlled shot and volley in the area. Belgium failed to put away its chances, with both Marouane Fellaini and Dries Mertens hitting the same post withinseven minutes of each other.
“Falcao proved his value to us again,” Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said. ”He has an enormous potential.” Colombia is ranked fourth in theworld according to FIFA, while Belgium is fifth. Both countries will be seeded at next summer’s World Cup in Brazil. Colombia will complete its mini tour of Europe with a game against theNetherlands next Tuesday, when Belgium will meet Japan.