It was billed as the match neither side dare lose. As it turned out it was as one-sided as you can get.
Colombia put their stuttering performance against Japan firmly in the past, whereas Poland were even worse than they had been in abject surrender to Senegal.
The knives are out now for the Poles 60 year-old coach Adam Nawalka who was asked directly ‘Are you going to resign?’ and although he shook his head the date of execution is already fixed for the day after this dismal campaign ends against Japan in Volgograd in four days’ time.
Juan Cuadrado ensured Colombia took three points five minutes after second goal following great assist by James Rodriguez
Cuadrado (centre) celebrates after scoring Colombia’s third goal against Poland which sent their opponents home
Cuadrado of Colombia celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal with his team-mates on the sidelines on Sunday night
Colombia’s Radamel Falcao scores their second goal in the second half of the match following a lovely ball by Juan Quintero
Falcao of Colombia celebrates after doubling his side’s lead over Poland on Sunday evening in Group H encounter in Kazan
Colombia’s defender Yerry Mina scores against Poland’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny to open the scoring for his side
Mina headed home from six yards following a floated ball by Rodriguez to put Colombia 1-0 up against Poland in group game
Even the influential Kamil Glik who was given a token substitute appearance refused to defend his coach: ‘We had no plan, and once we went behind we did not have the fight to come back,’ he admitted.
Nowalka claimed his side competed well – which they did until the 40th minute – but once Yerry Mina headed Colombia in front it was game over.
For a centre back Mina doesn’t have a bad goalscoring record. This was the Barcelona man’s 4th goal in just 13 internationals – yet the Catalans are looking to offload him.
Mina of Colombia celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal of the crucial Group H clash at the Kazan Arena on Sunday
Colombia’s players celebrate their opener during the Russia 2018 World Cup Group H football match against Poland
Mina celebrates scoring Colombia’s first goal in the 40th minute with coach Jose Pekerman on the touchline
Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates after providing the assist for team-mate Mina to score their team’s first goal on Sunday
Colombia’s players celebrate scoring their first goal in front of their fans at the Kazan Arena at the 2018 World Cup on Sunday
Ironically the man who does score goals Robert Lewandowski cut a disconsolate figure here and was actually booed by the fans who worshipped his 16 goal contribution to the qualifying campaign.
Apart from one thunderous right foot effort thrillingly tipped over by Arsenal goalkeeper David Ospina, Lewandowski looked as ordinary and isolated as the rest of his colleagues who seemed to have little thirst for the occasion – and paid with an early exit from the competition.
An amazing 30,000 Colombians have found their way out of South America to places like Kazan and Samara, and they roared as Mina’s header was followed by two second-half goals beautifully dispatched by Radamel Falcao and Juan Cuadrado.
Poland’s forward Robert Lewandowski (left) has an effort on goal but Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina saves the shot
Lewandowski of Poland passes the ball during the first half of the Group H encounter on Sunday evening in Kazan
Poland goalkeepder Szczesny punches the ball clear under the challenge from Colombia’s Falcao in the first half of the game
In contrast to Lewandowski, the rejuvenated Falcao found redemption for his injury ravaged past, including missing the 2014 Finals, with a showing which earned praise from coach Jose Pekerman.
‘Falcao led the line superbly and deserved his goal. James Rodriguez also made us stronger, and once we had overcome the physicality of Poland we grew in confidence’ he said.
Poland striker Lewandowski challenges for the ball with Colombia’s Johan Mojica during the first half of the Group H match
Colombia midfielder Mateus Uribe (centre) vies with Poland defender Lukasz Piszczek (right) in the box on Sunday evening
Colombia’s forward Cuadrado (left) heads the ball with Poland’s midfielder Maciej Rybus during the Group H fixture
Cuadrado who scored a superb solo goal, and Juan Quintero who claimed two assists, possessed far too much guile for Poland who have not reached the knock-out stages since 1986.
Colombia now go head to head with Senegal who Pekerman acknowledged will present a much sterner test.
‘They have improved with each game. I am pleased that we have improved greatly too, but we still have work to do to advance to the next stage’ he said.
Falcao of Colombia is challenged by Jan Bednarek of Poland during the contest in Group H on Sunday evening in Russia