FIFA World Cup qualifiers: Colombia scores 1-0 win over Ecuador

Barranquilla (Colombia), Sep 7 (IANS)

(L-R) Colombian players David Ospina, Camilo Zuniga, Pablo Armero and James Rodriguez celebrate after beating Ecuador 1-0 in their Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier match, in Barranquilla, Colombia, on September 6, 2013. (LUIS ACOSTA/AFP/Getty Images)

Colombia scored a 1-0 win over Ecuador at the Metropolitan Stadium in the qualifying tournament for the Brazil 2014 FIFA World Cup, ratifying the second place in South America.

James Rodriguez scored the lone goal (30th minute) Friday to the cheers of 50,000 Colombians who filled the stadium from which Colombia obtained three points, keeping second place in the qualifying tournament, the same points as Argentina (26), reports Xinhua.

Colombians expect that Chile will win over Venezuela, and a draw between Peru and Uruguay will automatically classify Argentina and Colombia to the World Cup, after 16 years without Colombia’s participation.

“The goal was not mine, was of all. We are a team and we are all happy because the whole country is enjoying it, they deserve all this. I am happy because we are closer to the World Cup,” Rodriguez said.

Colombia will travel Saturday to Uruguay, against whom they play Tuesday.