COLOMBIA SCORED TWICE in six minutes in a lively second half to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 at the World Cup on Thursday and move to the brink of the knockout stage.
James Rodriguez’s powerful header from a corner in the 64th minute was quickly followed by a low finish by substitute Juan Quintero, securing the South American team’s second straight win in Group C in front of a partisan pro-Colombian crowd.
Gervinho reduced the deficit in the 73rd with a superb run and shot inside the near post, but the Ivory Coast could not find an equalizer despite a strong finish.
A point against Japan in their third game will definitely seal qualification for Colombia but it could be secured before that, depending on the result of Japan vs. Greece later Thursday.
Ivory Coast still may need to beat Greece if they are to progress from the group stage for the first time at a World Cup.
Group C Standings
Wins
Draws
Losses
Goals For
Goals Against
Points
Colombia
2
0
0
5
1
6
Ivory Coast
1
1
0
3
3
3
Japan
0
1
0
1
2
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 2, Ivory Coast 1 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
