These World Cup teams came through Kansas City — and are still playing

Colombia and its fans put on quite the show at Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium on Saturday night. A modest 1-0 scoreline did not dampen the atmosphere in any way.

From the first whistle until fans exited the parking lots, Colombian supporters who descended upon Kansas City made quite a racket. For at least 30 minutes after the games, fireworks could be heard and seen just outside the stadium.

“The stadium was Colombian,” Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz said after the match. “That support gave Colombia confidence and an advantage at the beginning of the game.”

Colombia scored 14 minutes in thanks to Jhon Arias’ expert finish at the back post. In total, the team in yellow took 20 shots, eight of which were on target. Defensively, Colombia held Ghana to zero shots on target over 90 minutes plus stoppage time.

“We created a lot of chances, but we didn’t score a lot of them,” said Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo. “I liked how we defended … The center backs and (Jefferson) Lerma (defensive midfielder) all performed quite well this evening, and they held the score to zero.

Lozano loved the “home” crowd at the match, too.

“We celebrate a lot,” Lozano said with a grin. “The passion of the people, Colombian people, from the beginning they support us and they follow us where we go. So very grateful for them, always.”

With the right set of results, there is a chance the Colombian faithful will return to Kansas City next weekend.

Saturday’s 1-0 victory for “Los Cafeteros” capped an eventful Round of 32 in the World Cup. With the field now set and the Round of 16 beginning Sunday, three of the 16 teams have carved their path through Kansas City.

As much as the World Cup has left its mark on Kansas City culturally, KC will have played a large part in the paths to the Round of 16 for nearly a fifth of the final field — with Colombia, England and Argentina having all stopped through on their way — and in a variety of ways.

Argentina’s path

Argentina’s perfect group-stage run began in Kansas City with a 3-0 win over Algeria. It continued its group stage dominance with 2-0 and 3-1 victories over Austria and Jordan, respectively.

But Saturday proved a different test. Cabo Verde came in with nothing to lose and tons of pride.

After Lionel Messi gave Argentina an early lead, Cabo Verde answered in the second half to send the game to extra time. Argentina again scored quickly and was comfortable at 2-1 until a stunning goal from Sidny Lopes Cabral put the favorites back against the ropes.

Colombian journalists and fans in Kansas City Stadium were loving Cabo Verde’s attempt to knock out the reigning champions. Cheers and oohs and ahhhs could be heard at every chance through the glass windows of the press box, and the match wasn’t even shown on the video boards.

But of course, Argentina prevailed late in extra time, making it 3-2 and narrowly avoiding the final chances of the upstart Cabo Verde squad.

England’s path

England was the first of the Kansas City-connected teams to clinch its Round of 16 place.

England has called Kansas City home since June 13, training at Swope Soccer Village. Much like Argentina, the Three Lions were put against the ropes by the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Brian Cipenga’s stunning strike gave Congo a lead seven minutes in, and England looked all out of sorts for the first hour. But goals from Harry Kane in the 75th and 86th minutes saved England from an embarrassing early exit.

England faces Mexico in the Round of 16 on Sunday night.

The path back to Kansas City?

Argentina and Colombia’s return to Kansas City for the World Cup Quarterfinals requires yet another knockout-round victory Tuesday.

Argentina will face Egypt in Atlanta, while Colombia must travel to Vancouver to face Switzerland.

Egypt defeated Australia in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw, and Switzerland took care of Algeria comfortably with a 2-0 victory.

The winners of Argentina vs. Egypt and Colombia vs. Switzerland will meet on July 11 at Kansas City Stadium. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. Central.

Daniel Sperry covers soccer for The Star. He can be reached at sperry.danielkc@gmail.com.