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Colombia are on the verge of clinching a last 16 place at the World Cup after beating Ivory Coast to secure their second win from as many Group C games.
James Rodriguez headed in a near post corner and Juan Quintero slotted home after Serey Die was caught in possession to put Los Cafeteros 2-0 up.
But Gervinho skipped past three Colombia defenders and powered in a shot to give Ivory Coast hope. The Ivorians exerted some late pressure, but Colombia fended them off to win.
That means the South Americans’ route to the knock-out stages will be assured if Japan do not beat Greece in the later game.
Ivory Coast, meanwhile, are still well-placed to reach the last 16 after their opening game win as they next face Greece.
Both sides could still face England in the next stage – should Roy Hodgson’s men manage to get through their group – and produced an enthralling game which sparked to life after the break. Colombia had the greater attacking intent and Teofilo Gutierrez should have put them ahead. Replays showed the striker was marginally offside but he was not flagged and failed to capitalise when he horribly mistimed a side-footed effort from eight yards.
Still, he was faring better than Ivory Coast’s Wilfried Bony. The Swansea City striker failed to touch the ball in the opposition half, most glaringly when he failed to connect with two crosses when well-placed either side of half time. It was little surprise when he was replaced by Didier Drogba. Colombia, though, proved more potent.
An acute angled Juan Cuadrado strike was tipped on to the face of the crossbar by keeper Boubacar Barry before the South Americans scored.
Rodriguez powerfully headed in a Cuadrado corner for his second goal of the tournament.
Ivory Coast responded when Serge Aurier’s cross almost sneaked in at the near post before being punched away by keeper David Ospina but the Elephants were the architects of their own downfall a few moments later. – BBC Sport.
Online Reporter