rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Colombia top Group C; Greece scrape through
This article was first published 10 years ago

PHOTOS: Colombia top Group C; Greece scrape through

June 25, 2014 03:38 IST

Image: Jackson Martinez of Colombia (left) celebrates scoring his team's second goal
Photographs: Christopher Lee/Getty Images

Two second half goals from Jackson Martinez ensured Colombia a comprehensive 4-1 win over Japan in Cuiaba, the result ensuring top spot in Group C.

The Porto forward hadn't scored an international goal in two years but delivered a double when it mattered the most.

AS Monaco's James Rodriguez scored a fourth in the 89th minute to compound the Asian champion's woes. The match also witnessed Colombian goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon make history as the oldest ever player at the World Cup, beating Roger Milla's longstanding record.

Colombia face Uruguay in an all South American round of 16 clash at the Maracana on Saturday.

 Complete coverage of the football World Cup

- Please click NEXT for more...

 

Colombia took the lead through Cuardado

Image: Juan Guillermo Cuadrado of Colombia shoots and scores his team's first goal on a penalty kick
Photographs: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

Colombia took the lead in the 17th minute when Adrian Ramos was brought down and Juan Cuadrado stepped up to calmly drive the spot-kick past Eiji Kawashima.

Colombia need at least a draw to guarantee finishing top while Japan must win to have any hope of making the last 16.

They did so in an emphatic manner.

- Please click NEXT for more...

Okazaki equalized at half time

Image: Shinji Okazaki of Japan celebrates scoring his team's first goal
Photographs: Warren Little/Getty Images

Japan equalized just before the break through Shinji Okazaki's diving header.

But the Asian champions were second best throughout. 

- Please click NEXT for more...

Greece qualify as Group C runners-up

Image: Andreas Samaris of Greece celebrates scoring his team's first goal past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry of the Ivory Coast
Photographs: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Greece qualified as Group C runner's up, thereby earning a round of 16 clash with Costa Rica, despite starting at the bottom on the day. 

The 2004 European champion beat Ivory Coast 2-1 at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza. It is the first time that the Greeks have made it to the second round, having failed to get past the group stage in both 1994 and 2010.

Substitute Andreas Samaris gave Greece a 1-0 halftime lead but Swansea City's Wilfried Bony equalized in the 74th minute. 

However, the Africans conceded an injury time penalty and veteran Giorgios Samaras made no mistake from the spot. 

Ivory Coast needed just a point to go through. It wasn't to be.