Commentary: Colombia should dedicate World Cup success to the late Andres Escobar

It was 22 years and a day ago when a world-class soccer player paid the cruelest price of any before or since.

Well-regarded Colombia had been drummed out of the 1994 World Cup, staged across the United States, in group play. The most stinging result was a 2-1 loss to the host country, during which defender and team captain Andres Escobar allowed an own goal.

Upon returning home, Escobar was shot six times by a man with ties to drug traffickers and died.

As a nation, Colombia has cleaned up substantially from the wild west era, and the team is cleaning up at its first World Cup since 1998.

Through the round of 16, it has carved out the widest goals difference -- 11 for, two against. This is an injury-spared squad, with nobody serving a penalty for getting dealt a pair of yellow cards. Its young midfielder, James Rodriguez, is the soccer multi-tasker of his generation, passing and shooting with equal aplomb.

And Friday’s opponent, Brazil, is dealing with an identity crisis, unsure what type of team it is.

Should Colombia continue its push to the top prize, it would be prudent to dedicate this tournament to an alumnus who is not around to enjoy it -- just for giving up the only own goal of his career at a most inopportune time. Andres Escobar would be 47.

His killer, on the other hand, might be able to enjoy it. He was released from prison after 11 years for good behavior.