Lorenzo assesses Chile win: 'It was almost like a World Cup qualifier'

Colombia head coach Néstor Lorenzo compared his side's 1-0 friendly win over Chile to a World Cup qualifier because of the high tempo and fighting spirit both teams brought to the pitch.

Despite fluctuations in quality at times, Colombia claimed a second successive friendly victory on Friday at the Pascual Guerrero Stadium in Cali, winning the match thanks to a first-half own goal from Guillermo Maripán.

After Luis Suárez and Jhon Lucumí had fired off target, Colombia found their goal in the 35th minute when Maripán sent the ball into his own net. Suárez's header was saved by the goalkeeper in the closing moments of the first half, and Colombia stayed in control of the game after the break, although only Jhon Arias managed to test Lawrence Vigouroux in that half.

Although Chile were unproductive in attack and failed to seriously trouble goalkeeper Camilo Vargas with any of their five attempts on goal, Lorenzo pointed to the tough, determined approach both teams showed on the pitch.

Speaking at the press conference after the match, Lorenzo said: "It was almost like a World Cup qualifier, in terms of intensity and the battles that were fought on the field. Of course, we all like to win, but there were a lot of inaccuracies. I think we played at a high intensity; we just lacked a bit of control in clear scoring opportunities. We fought hard, we defended well, and I think it's a good win."

In a match in which one Chile shot hit the woodwork, both sides struggled to be productive in the final third.

Lorenzo, who noted that the young Colombia side had been inaccurate throughout the match, stressed that this was part of the process and added:

"The lack of precision doesn't worry me; they are talented players with good technique. Our goal is to work on synchronising some movements to achieve a more precise and effective performance. I understand that we are doing well. The adaptation of the young players has to happen progressively, gradually, and it has to happen because of the players like Davinson [Sánchez], [Jefferson] Lerma, and Camilo, who played a great game. That's the way it has to be. We have to pay the price, and if we come out on top, all the better. I would have loved to have played much better. I know that later on these guys will be less imprecise in the same situations, because that's how you gain experience."

The two teams will meet again on Tuesday 17 November in the Chilean capital, Santiago.