When Colombia captured the world’s heart at 2014 World Cup

• Colombia returned to the FIFA World Cup in 2014 after a gap of 16 years

• They beat Greece, Côte d'Ivoire, and Japan in the group stage

• James Rodriguez netted a brace as Colombia beat Uruguay in round-of-16

Akshat Mehrish Great goals, gorgeous kits, joyful celebrations, and an exciting squad: Colombia, in 2014, had the makings of an all-time great FIFA World Cup team, one that would eventually capture the world’s heart despite its premature elimination in the quarter-finals against hosts Brazil. La Tricolor, as they are known colloquially, qualified for their first FIFA World Cup in 1962 and thrice more before the turn of the century in 1990, 1994, and 1998. At best, they could muster a round-of-16 finish, despite fielding squads brimming with talented players such as Carlos Valderrama, Leonel Alvarez, and Rene Higuita. At its trough, the team failed to qualify for three World Cups in a row — in 2002, 2006, and 2010 — a streak finally broken in 2014 by Argentine tactician Jose Pekerman and his merry band of gifted players. Colombia cruised through the CONMEBOL qualifiers sans Brazil (hosts), finishing second behind Argentina with nine wins and 30 points. On their way to the finals, they beat 2010 semi-finalists Uruguay 4-0, Paraguay, and Peru, while drawing one of their two games with heavyweights Argentina. To make up for a 16-year absence, luck gifted them a balanced draw at the tournament, pitting them alongside Greece, Japan, and Côte d'Ivoire. Compared to some of the South American behemoths — Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay, and even Chile — Colombia arrived at the FIFA World Cup 2014 without much fanfare. But, their inconspicuous existence lasted until five minutes into their opening match against Greece, when full-back Pablo Armero ghosted in from the left side to meet a Juan Cuadrado cross and squeeze the ball between the bodies guarding the goal-line.

The bright yellow stands of the Estádio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte, donning Colombia’s iconic yellow kits with a blue sash, erupted with joy. On the pitch, Armero and his compatriots danced in unison to commemorate a moment the nation had waited almost two decades for. Five minutes into their opening match against Greece, Colombia had stolen the world’s heart. La Tricolor beat Greece 3-0. They scored twice against Côte d'Ivoire and four times against Japan — celebrating each goal with equal verve — and progressed to the knockout stages as one of the few sides with a perfect record, their stature growing with each game. Round-of-16 pitted Colombia against South American rivals Uruguay. Any concerns that Colombia’s firepower and flair would be canceled out by the pragmatism of their opponents were shut down in the 28th minute when James Rodriguez chested down a header from Abel Aguilar and unleashed an unstoppable volley from outside the box to beat custodian Fernando Muslera. It was a goal for the ages, one that would be voted as the strike of the tournament. Rodriguez scored a second from close range in the 50th minute, booking Colombia’s spot alongside hosts Brazil in the quarter-finals.

Brazil captain Thiago Silva bundled the ball into the net from a corner in the seventh minute of the last-eight clash, denting Colombia’s hopes of a first-ever semi-final appearance early. Backed by a roaring home crowd, Brazil did not relent, while Colombia did not recover. David Luiz scored with a sensational free-kick in the 69th minute, putting the hosts 2-0 up. Rodriguez scored late on from the spot, but his goal proved to be nothing more than a mere consolation. Tearfully, Colombia bid farewell to the tournament. They returned home with individual accolades - Rodriguez won the Golden Ball while Colombia the FIFA Fairplay Award - but pertinently, with the admiration of the world. It was a World Cup story unlike any other.