Abu Dhabi: Radamel Falcao was on target again to remind Manchester United of his worth, as his Colombia side unconvincingly overcame Kuwait 3-1 in an international friendly in Abu Dhabi on Monday evening.
Falcao scored a 74th-minute penalty – equalling former striker Arnoldo Iguaran’s record tally of 24 for Colombia – at Zayed Sports City to add to his two goals in a 6-0 rout of Bahrain last Thursday.
However, it was more of a rudimentary victory than an impressive display for the World Cup quarter-finalists, despite it being their sixth win in a row.
Abel Aguilar put Jose Pekerman’s men ahead after 22 minutes with a sumptuous free-kick, but failed to capitalise on their dominance in the first half.
The South Americans were stunned when Musaed Al Enazi equalised for Kuwait, who lost all three of their games at January’s Asian Cup, with a dipping finish on the stroke of half-time. It was the first time Colombia goalkeeper David Ospina had conceded a goal for his country since November.
Kuwait nearly stunned their illustrious opponents further by taking the lead when Abdullah Al Buraiki’s rasping effort was tipped on to the post by Ospina, while Fredy Guarin responded with an equally fierce effort for Colombia.
However, the under-par South Americans took the lead after 68 minutes with a sublime long strike from Edwin Cardona, who had replaced the ineffectual Chelsea winger Juan Cuadrado at the break.
It was then left to Falcao to add the coup de grace six minutes later with a penalty after he had been brought down on the edge of the area.
“The fact is you’re concentrated in taking [the penalty] and thank God I was able to score,” said Falcao, who has struggled to hold down a first-team place at Manchester United this season after moving to the Red Devils from Monaco last summer.
This was Colombia’s sixth straight victory and should give the Los Cafeteros immense confidence ahead of this summer’s Copa America, in which Pekerman’s side have been drawn in the same group as Brazil.
For Falcao, meanwhile, the goal could be an opportunity to turn around what’s been a dismal season with Manchester United. With eight matches remaining in the English Premier League season, the superstar striker has scored only four times in England’s top flight.
