James Rodriguez dazzles with spectacular goal in Colombia vs US Men’s National Team

James Rodriguez scored a breathtaking goal in an outstanding performance for Colombia during his national team’s friendly match the US Men’s National Team. Receiving the ball inside the US’s penalty area, James managed to turn toward goal and curve the ball past the two defenders standing between him and a direct shot on goal:

James had already been making life difficult for former Bayern man Julian Green, Hannover 96 forward Bobby Wood and the rest of the USMNT. Playing primarily in the right midfield during the first half, James twice split John Anthony Brooks and Antonee Robinson with dangerous throughballs forward to Carlos Bacca and Santiago Arrias. And James narrowly missed a golden opportunity to score on a shot on goal that was blocked by a scrambling defender’s legs.

James shifted to Colombia’s left flank in the second half of the match, as things heated up: the USA equalized and briefly took the lead after goals by Bobby Wood and Kellyn Acosta, before Colombia drew even 2-2 on a goal by Carlos Bacca. Radamel Falcao scored Colombia’s third goal of the night on a lightning-fast counter-attack.

James was at the center of the action yet again in the build-up to Colombia’s fourth goal. Receiving the ball yet again in the USA’s penalty area, James evaded a double-team and lobbed a pass to Miguel Borja on the left side of the box. Borja timed it and struck the ball with a scissor-kick past Zack Steffen and into the net. The crowd went wild as James was substituted out minutes later.

Despite being only an international friendly, the US and Colombia rewarded the fans present in Tampa, Florida, with an all-out, exciting match.