Colombia have finished comfortably on top of Group C by overpowering Japan to win 4-1 in Cuiaba.
Los Cafeteros controlled proceedings in the second half to score three goals and assert themselves as one of the teams to beat at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Japan, who required victory to qualify, had started with all-out attack but conceded in the 16th minute after Yasuyuki Konno fouled Adrian Ramos in the area.
The central defender was shown a yellow card before Juan Cuadrado stepped up to the spot and hammered it straight down the middle, sending Eiji Kawashima to the right.
The intent to attack paid off for the Blue Samurai when they responded with the last piece of the play in the first half through Shinji Okazaki who produced a neat header to finish Keisuke Honda's cross from the right.
Colombia managed to edge their nose ahead ten minutes into the second half when Jackson Martinez received a pass from second-half sub James Rodriguez before taking a touch and then rifling the ball past Kawashima with the aid of a slight deflection off the toe of Atsuto Uchida.
With eight minutes remaining, Martinez grabbed a second when he was played through on goal by the impressive Rodriguez before turning his man in the area and then slotting home with consummate ease.
Rodriguez then netted a fourth goal for the Colombians in the dying moments when he controlled the ball from Adrian Ramos in the area before swiftly darting left then right before deftly flicking over Kawashima, notching his third of the tournament.
There was a special moment for Colombian fans when 43-year old goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon was brought on by Jose Pekerman to replace David Ospina in the 85th minute to become the oldest World Cup player in history.
It was a nice touch by Pekerman to give the veteran what is likely to be his last appearance at the World Cup and the Colombian fans lapped it up.
It was an end-to-end affair between Los Cafeteros and the Blue Samurai with both sides producing plenty of scoring chances but it was the South Americans who were far more efficient.
Pekerman's side will now prepare for Saturday's Round of 16 clash with Uruguay at the famed Maracana in Rio de Janeiro while Japan will now look towards the 2015 Asian Cup after placing Alberto Zaccheroni's job in doubt.
2014 FIFA World Cup - Group C
Japan: 1 (Shinji Okazaki 45+1') Colombia: 4 (Juan Cuadrado (p) 17', Jackson Martinez 55'/82', James Rodriguez 89')
Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba - 40,340
Yellow cards:JPN - Yasuyuki Konno 16' COL - Fredy Guarin 63'
