Arias brace concludes Colombia preparation
Jhon Arias scored twice as Colombia defeated Jordan, which ended the game with 10 men, 2-0 in its final pre-World Cup friendly at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz both started in support of Sporting CP's Primeira Liga Golden Boot winner Luis Suarez, but it was former Wolves man Arias who stole the headlines.
Colombia struggled to find a way through Jordan's resolute backline despite dominating possession throughout the first half, and they suffered an early scare when Mohannad Abu Taha's stunning, 35-yard strike left the crossbar shaking.
A last-ditch block from Saleem Obaid then kept Arias out, but the Palmeiras midfielder would not be denied in the 41st minute, slotting into the far corner after James' cute pass found him in his stride.
Colombia made plenty of half-time changes, but Arias was among those who stayed on, and his header proved too powerful for Nour Bani Attiah 10 minutes after the interval, after some neat interplay involving James on the right side of the area.
Richard Rios and Jaminton Campaz got in one another's way as Colombia went close to a third goal, but it ultimately did not need one and Jordan – which went close through Ali Azaizeh – ended the game with 10 men.
Having already been booked, Amer Jamous lunged in late on Jorge Carrascal and was shown his second yellow card.
Elsewhere, in Columbus, Ecuador beat Guatemala 3-0 in their final game before the World Cup, with Jordy Caicedo, Nilson Angulo and Pervis Estupinan on target.


































