By Ed Valentine & Robbie Butler
One could argue that the star of this year’s World Cup has not been Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo but Colombia’s James Rodriquez. The Monaco midfielder has scored in all four games he has played in and knocked Uruguay out of the competition on Sunday last with probably the best goal we have seen so far.
This wonder strike was not all the young Colombian did however. In the first half Rodriguez made more passes in the attacking third than any other player. He was influential in most areas of the pitch as the graph below demonstrates.
If Brazil are to win tonight they will either have to contain James or hope he has an off-day. Based on his performances so far the latter is unlikely. Brazil’s ability to shackle the Colombian midfielder will go a long way to deciding the outcome of this quarter final.