The report says Arias arrived at the back post to volley home after substitute Luis Suarez kept the move alive and delivered from the right. It was the kind of efficient attack Colombia needed in a match decided by a single goal.
Colombia are also said to have created the clearer opportunities before the interval. Luis Diaz went close, while Ghana goalkeeper Lawrence Ati Zigi reportedly made a sharp save to deny Johan Mojica’s header.
The opening phase was disrupted by early changes on both sides, with Jhon Cordoba and Marvin Senaya reportedly forced off. Colombia appeared to settle more quickly after the interruptions.
Ghana started brightly, with Thomas Partey sending an early effort narrowly wide, but the response faded after Colombia took the lead. The report says Ghana finished without a shot on target, a statistic that underlines the difficulty they had breaking through.
Antoine Semenyo was unable to make a significant attacking impact, while Colombia continued to threaten on the counter. Diaz reportedly had another opportunity after Gustavo Puerta created space, but the forward’s finish went straight at Zigi.
James Rodriguez’s reported half-time withdrawal adds another subplot. The 34-year-old was said to have been making his record-equalling 130th international appearance, although it remains unclear whether the change was tactical or enforced.
Colombia will now face Switzerland, where a narrow victory may not be enough to carry them through. Switzerland’s organised structure and ability to defend compactly should test Colombia’s creativity, particularly if Rodriguez’s involvement remains uncertain.
The next storyline is whether Arias, Diaz and the midfield can provide a greater attacking threat against stronger last-16 opposition.