BRASILIA: Colombia beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in yet another action-packed World Cup clash on Thursday to top Group C on six points and move within touching distance of making the knockout phase for the first time since 1990.
It was an absorbing game where both teams went for the win.
After a tight first half the game exploded into life with three goals in nine minutes midway through the second, starting when Colombia’s James Rodriguez thumped in a header from a 64th-minute Juan Cuadrado corner.
Juan Quintero ran clear to make it 2-0 after 70 minutes after Rodriguez intercepted an Ivorian clearance but Gervinho cut in through three defenders to score an excellent individual goal three minutes later to halve the deficit.
Speaking on the BBC, former French international Thierry Henry said, “I think we have seen the two teams who will top Group C.”
Colombia held out, though, and top the standings with six points, ahead of Ivory Coast on three.
Greece and Japan, who were scheduled to meet in Natal later on Thursday (early Friday in India), are pointless after their opening game defeats.
Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba came on as a substitute at the stroke of the hour-mark just like he did in his side’s 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Japan, but this time he could not inspire the African side to a victory or at least a draw.
Ivory Coast, who will play Greece in their final group match on June 24 (June 25 in India), the same time that Colombia face Japan, made a frenetic effort to get an equaliser in the final minutes but the Colombian defence led by captain Mario Yepes were up to the task. (Reuters)
