Italy

It was not until 1990 that the Colombia national football team returned to the world cup. Italy were hosting it for the second time in their history. West Germany eventually claimed the title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final. Colombia fared a little better than there only previous appearance. They managed to qualify from their group as one of the best third placed teams. They won one, lost one and drew one of their three group fixtures. In the last sixteen they faced Cameroon who were on a fairy-tale run. Although the game finished 0-0 Colombia eventually lost 2-1 after extra time and were eliminated.

United States

The Colombia national football team did not have to wait as long as last time before they returned to the world cup. In 1994 the world cup was held in the United States. Brazil won the tournament after beating Italy on penalties in the final. It was the first time a final had been decided by penalties and Brazil’s fourth victory. It was a terrible world cup for Colombia for both on and off the field reasons. They lost both of their opening two fixtures to find themselves already eliminated with still one game to go. It was their second game defeat to the United States which featured the now infamous Escobar own goal which had such tragic consequences. The final match win over Switzerland was irrelevant in the end.

France

The world cup in 1998 was held in France and won by the hosts. They beat Brazil 3-0 in the final to claim their first world cup. The Colombia national football team again did not progress from the group although it at least went to the last fixture. After losing their first group game and winning their second they set up a qualification decider with England. England won 2-0 to progress and eliminate Colombia.

Brazil

The world cup was hosted by Brazil, and won for a fourth time by Germany. The Colombia national football team went into the tournament in a positive mood. They had performed well in qualifying and the competition was in their home continent. This positivity continued into the group stage as they won all three games with some style. They scored nine goals, including three against Greece and four against Japan. Finishing top they went into the last-sixteen and played fellow South American’s Uruguay. A comfortable 2-0 win which including a stunning strike from James Rodriguez progressed them onto the quarter-final and Brazil. In their most disappointing display of the tournament however, the side slumped to a 2-1 defeat. It perhaps showed a little inexperience at this level.

Russia

Yet to qualify