Colombia have made it two wins from two at the 2014 FIFA World Cup by edging Ivory Coast 2-1 in Brasilia.
Three goals in seven minutes in the second half lit up what was an otherwise uneventful affair as Los Cafeteros all but booked their spot in the Round of 16 ahead of the Japan v Greece clash tonight.
The first goal was deservedly scored by Colombia who had improved their attacking output from the first half as the minutes ticked on in the second term.
Juan Cuadrado's 64th-minute corner was perfectly placed for James Rodriguez to rise above his marker and send a powerful header past Boubacar Barry for his second goal of the tournament.
Four minutes later and Jose Pekerman's side were two to the good when they performed a deadly counter-attack which resulted in Teofilo Gutierrez neatly playing in second-half substitute Juan Quintero who slotted past Boubacar Barry with consummate ease in a one-on-one situation.
But just as it seemed as the Colombians would run away with, Gervinho struck for the Elephants in the 73rd minute with a fine run and strike.
The AS Roma man produced a jinking run down the left side before cutting back in and firing home past the near post for his second goal in two World Cup outings.
After a fairly tame first half, the match really broke out in the final 25 minutes before Colombia resorted to a little bit of time wasting at the death in order to quell any further Ivory Coast advances.
In the end it was enough for Colombia to record another lot of three points which has them in pole position to book their spot in the knockout phase while the Ivorians will have to win their final depending on what happens between Japan and Greece.
Colombia will now look forward to their June 24 outing with Japan in Cuiaba while the Ivory Coast will be hoping to qualify by beating Greece in Fortaleza on the same day.
2014 FIFA World Cup - Group C
Colombia: 2 (James Rodriguez 64, Juan Quintero 70') Ivory Coast: 1 (Gervinho 73')
Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha, Brasilia - 68,748
Yellow cards:COL - nil CIV - Didier Zokora 55', Cheick Tioe 90'
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