Colombia knockout favourites after 2-1 defeat of Cote d’Ivoire

Two second half strikes from James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero gave Colombia a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in their second Group C game to ensure the South American side mathematically booked their place in the knockout stage.

After a mazy dribbling run, Gervinho fired home to halve the deficit with 15 minutes remaining. Colombia survived the late onslaught, holding on for a 2-1 victory that all but sees them through to the last 16.

Colombia had the best chance in the first half when striker Teofilo Gutierrez spurned the ball away with only the keeper to beat, to leave his team locked at 0-0 with Ivory Coast at halftime in a Group C game at the World Cup.

James Rodriguez’s cross in the 28th minute fell perfectly for Gutierrez just outside the six-yard box, but he miscued his volley and played it wide.

That was the only clear-cut chance of a cagey game — played in front of a partisan pro-Colombian crowd — between two teams which opened with wins in Brazil.

Effectively playing an away match, the Ivoriens only threatened with long-range efforts by Cheikh Tiote and Serge Aurier. Didier Drogba was again on the bench for the African side.

Colombia had clearly been working with a choreographer to get their goal celebration perfected. And it was on full display following goals from both Rodriguez and Quintero.

However, Ivory Coast were right back in it in the 74th minute when Gervinho burst into the box to power an effort into the back of the net, Ospina unable to keep the ball out despite getting a glove to it.

It would prove to be the Africans’ only goal of the encounter, leaving them sweating on a place in the next round, with Greece to face in their final group fixture.

Colombia’s last match will be against Japan, but they may well be through by then.