Colombia Into World Cup Second Round

         Colombia have advanced to the World Cup second round for the first time since 1990. The South Americans and Cote d’Ivoire got the action started today 19/06/14 at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia in their second Group C match. Both teams had contrasting opening game wins on Saturday with the Colombians cruising to a 3-0 demolition over a hapless Greek team and the West Africans coming from behind to edge out a tricky Japanese team 2-1. A second victory for either team would have almost certainly guaranteed progression to the next round. The first scoring chance fell to the Colombians as a ball played into the Ivorian half was collected by Teo who muffed his shot and it went wide. Colombia would come again in the 9^th minute but the Ivorian defense averted the danger. In the 11^th minute Cote d’ Ivoire earned a free kick in the Colombian half but the chance was wasted and the Colombians survived. In the 16^th minute a tricky Colombia breakaway was desperately defended by Copa but the ensuing corner was wasted and another opportunity for the South Americans went a begging. In the 21^st minute Colombia won another corner,but the Ivorian defenders repelled the threat and they survived once again. In the 25^th minute Yaya Toure had a chance to put his team in front but his long range effort sailed over the Colombian goal and the score remained 0-0. Minutes later a promising break from the Colombians looked that it may produce something but Teo couldn’t control his shot and another chance went a begging. Cote d’Ivoire would soon have a chance of their own though, as a ball played into the Colombia half in the 31^st minute was controlled by Aurier who forced Ospina to make a crucial save. It was basically a first half of wasted opportunities and at the interval the score was deadlocked at 0-0.

          At the start of the second half the Ivorians won a free kick but Yaya Toure’s tame effort was carefully handled by Ospina in the Colombian goal. Cote d’ Ivoire then won a free kick in the Colombian half in the 52^nd minute but the shot was wide. Colombia then made a substitution as Ibarbo was replaced by Quintero in the 53^rd minute. Zokora then received the first yellow card of the game for a challenge on a Colombian player. In the 59^th minute a shot from James was blocked by the Ivorians. In the 60^th the Africans made a substitution as their star player Didier Drogba replaced Wilfred in an effort to make a positive impact for Cote d’Ivoire just like he did in the opener against Japan. Soon though, the South Americans were in front as a corner swung in by Cuadrado was perfectly met by James Rodriguez as he rose above the rest to give his team the lead. 1-0 Colombia. In the 66^th Cote d’Ivoire won a free kick as Drogba was brought down just outside the Colombian penalty area. The ensuing effort was squandered however, as the strike came off the Colombian wall.  Colombia would soon increase their lead though, as a mistake in the Ivorian defense enabled Gutierrez to steal the ball to feed Quintero who put his team two goals in front.

          The Ivorians would soon get a lifeline though, as a great solo run from Gervinho pulled one back for the Africans. The score was now 2-1 with 15 minute to go. In the 79^th Colombia made substitution as Mejia replaced Aguilar. Cote d’ Ivoire soon won a corner in the 81^st but the Colombian defense survived the danger. The Ivorians would come again in the 85^th but Kalou’s tame effort was not good enough to trouble the Colombian ‘keeper Ospina. Two minutes later Cote d’Ivoire won a dangerous free kick on the edge of the Colombian penalty area after Aurier was brought down but the effort was wasted. Cote d' Ivoire would soon have a golden opportunity as a mistake in the back by Colombia almost let in Drogba but the Colombian goalie would come to the South Americans’ rescue. In the end the Colombians held on for the win and full points as they won back-to-back matches at a World Cup for the first time; booking their spot in the round of 16  for only the second time since they first did so in 1990.