David Ospina has become the first goalkeeper to play 100 games for Colombia, setting a new record for his country not long after leaving Arsenal.

Colombia's goalkeeper David Ospina (Bottom) stops a shot by Brazil's foward Richarlison (Top) during their international friendly football match between Brazil and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on September 6, 2019. (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP)
Colombia’s goalkeeper David Ospina (Bottom) stops a shot by Brazil’s foward Richarlison (Top) during their international friendly football match between Brazil and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Florida, on September 6, 2019. (Photo by RHONA WISE / AFP)

Ospina started for his country against Brazil in the early hours of Saturday morning as Colombia drew 2-2 in a friendly.

Watching Ospina play for his country, you would be forgiven for asking why he didn’t succeed at Arsenal. He has regularly shown himself to be world class on international duty and starred at the World Cup just before he moved to Arsenal in 2014 from Nice for what seemed like a bargain £3.6m.

I was excited when he arrived at Arsenal but that quickly wore off and I became one of his biggest detractors. The Premier League was just not for him. But even I can see that he is a different beast when he pulls on his national team jersey.

Against Brazil, Ospina also seems to have managed to pick up a customary injury during the game:

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SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - JUNE 28: David Ospina of Colombia makes a save during the Copa America Brazil 2019 quarterfinal match between Colombia and Chile at Arena Corinthians on June 28, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – JUNE 28: David Ospina of Colombia makes a save during the Copa America Brazil 2019 quarterfinal match between Colombia and Chile at Arena Corinthians on June 28, 2019 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. (Photo by Pedro Vilela/Getty Images)

Ospina made his international debut in 2007 when he replaced the legendary Miguel Calero in a friendly match against Uruguay at the General Santander stadium in Cúcuta, Norte de Santander. Overall, he is currently Colombia’s fourth most-capped player behind Leonel Alvarez (101), Mario Yepes (102), and Carlos Valderama (111).

Carlos Queiroz was also honoured for reaching 200 games in charge of a national team (with Portugal twice, UAE, South Africa, Iran, and Colombia).

Colombia face Venezuela at 2am on Wednesday in what should be Dave’s 101st game for his country, taking him to joint-third in the all-time appearances list for his country.

Given he’s still only 31, he seems destined to become the leading appearance maker for his country by some distance within the next 12-24 months.

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