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PHOTOS: Colombia top Group C; Greece scrape through

June 25, 2014 03:38 IST
Jackson Martinez of Colombia (left) celebrates scoring his team's second goal

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.

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Colombia took the lead through Cuardado

June 25, 2014 03:38 IST
Juan Guillermo Cuadrado of Colombia shoots and scores his team's first goal on a penalty kick

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.

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Okazaki equalized at half time

June 25, 2014 03:38 IST
Shinji Okazaki of Japan celebrates scoring his team's first goal

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

But the Asian champions were second best throughout. 

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Greece qualify as Group C runners-up

June 25, 2014 03:38 IST
Andreas Samaris of Greece celebrates scoring his team's first goal past goalkeeper Boubacar Barry of the Ivory Coast

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.