BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil (AP) – Colombia started their first World Cup campaign in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0 with goals from Pablo Armero, Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez in the Group C opener today.
Left back Armero opened the scoring in the fifth minute when his deflected shot rolled past Greece goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis. Striker Teofilo Gutierrez poked in Colombia’s second goal from a deflected corner in the 58th that confused Karnezis and two defenders covering the near post.
Greece had a chance to pull a goal back after Gutierrez’s goal, but an unmarked Georgios Samaras rattled the crossbar from close range.
James Rodriguez scored with a low shot in stoppage time after a slick backheel flick from Juan Cuadrado.
Group C Standings
Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Points
Colombia 1 0 0 3 0 3
Côte d’Ivoire 0 0 0 0 0 0
Japan 0 0 0 0 0 0
Greece 0 0 1 0 3 0
Schedule & Results
Saturday, June 14
Colombia 3, Greece 0
9 p.m.: Ivory Coast vs Japan at Arena Pernambuco, Recife
Thursday, June 19
Noon: Colombia vs Ivory Coast at Estádio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia
6 p.m.: Japan vs Greece at Estadio das Dunas, Natal
Tuesday, June 24
4 p.m.: Japan vs Colombia at Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá
4 p.m.: Greece vs Ivory Coast at Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
