Germany outclass Colombia to enter quarterfinals

Germany produced a combination of sublime skills and brute power, exposing Colombia's defensive frailties with a 4-0 victory in the round of 16 to book a place in the last eight of the FIFA U-17 World Cup, in Delhi on Monday.

Captain and star striker Jann-Fiete Arp (7' and 65") struck twice, while Yann Bisseck (39') and John Yeboah (49') scored a goal each to help Germany reach the quarterfinals.

Germany, whose best show in the tournament has been a runners-up finish back in the first edition in 1985, now face the winners of the pre-quarterfinal match between Brazil and Honduras on October 18 in Kochi in the quarterfinals to be played in Kolkata on October 22.

For Germany, right winger Yeboah and his left counterpart Dennis Jastrzembski were the standout performers, while Arp was a constant threat up front. Germany used long ball effectively, won most of the aerial duels and matched Colombia for speed.

Arp, who recently made his Bundesliga debut for Hamburg, took his tally to four in the tournament with the brace. He gave Germany an early lead after being fed through by Yeboah. His initial touch was not cleanly collected by the goalkeeper and as the ball landed back to him, he found the top left corner with his left foot.

Colombia had a decent chance in the 14th minute, but Robert Meja's left-footed grounder from a difficult angle just missed the right post.

Yeboah nearly got Germany's second in the 34th minute, but his fierce left-footed shot came off the bar.

Most of Germany's goals were a result of defensive errors, either from Colombian goalkeeper Kevin Mier or the back four.

Colombia, who had lost only once in the tournament (1-0 against Ghana), hadn't conceded more than one goal in any of their group matches. Their right winger and top scorer Juan Panaloza, who scored twice against India, had an off day and was kept in check by the Germans for much of the evening. Second-half substitute Leandro Campaz initiated some dangerous moves from the left flank, but did not trouble the German defence much.

Germany doubled their lead in the 39th minute when an unmarked Yann Bisseck's powerful header from a corner found the net.

Germany made it 3-0 soon after the restart, as the Colombian defence, playing a high line, was caught napping and skipper Arp found himself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. He unselfishly set up Yeboah to slot the ball into an empty net.

Another defensive howler led to Germany's fourth when Guillermo Tegue kicked the ball onto the body of Arp while trying a back-pass to his goalkeeper. The German striker then muscled into the box and beat the keeper to complete the rout.