Young Colombians on roll, knock off Ivory Coast

Colombia’s James Rodriguez (10) celebrates with teammate Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado after scoring his side’s first goal during the Group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Ivory Coast at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday.

Colombia’s James Rodriguez (10) celebrates with teammate Colombia’s Juan Cuadrado after scoring his side’s first goal during the Group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Ivory Coast at the Estadio Nacional in Brasilia, Brazil, on Thursday.

Friday, June 20, 2014

BRASILIA, Brazil -- Starved of the World Cup action for 16 years, Colombia -- and its fanatical traveling supporters -- are certainly making the most of being back on football's biggest stage.

Driven on by a partisan pro-Colombian crowd that turned the Estadio Nacional into a sea of yellow, the South Americans scored through James Rodriguez and substitute Juan Quintero in a devastating six-minute spell in the second half to beat Ivory Coast 2-1 on Thursday.

A second victory in Group C, following a 3-0 victory over Greece, leaves Colombia on the verge of qualifying for a place in the last 16. Since 1998, every team that has earned six points in the group stage has advanced.

"We have had two wins with players who are playing their first World Cup," Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said. "We're happy to have defeated such a good opponent. We have a lot of young players, and this is going to help them grow."

Known for his midfield artistry, playmaker Rodriguez showed his prowess in the air by getting clear of Ivory Coast captain Didier Drogba -- again only used as a substitute -- at a corner to head in Colombia's opener in the 64th minute, lighting up a disappointing match.

The celebrations had hardly died down among the vast hordes of Colombia supporters by the time a defensive mistake by Ivory Coast midfielder Serey Die allowed Teofilo Gutierrez to play in Quintero, and the midfielder slotted home a low finish.

Ivory Coast replied with a brilliant 73rd-minute solo goal by Gervinho, his second of the World Cup, but couldn't find a second despite a strong finish. The Ivorians remain on three points after their 2-1 opening win over Japan.

Instead of Radamel Falcao, the country's star striker who was ruled out through injury before the tournament, the most important factor in Colombia's march through the group stage has arguably been its amazing support.

With supporters wearing yellow shirts dominating the stadium, it was effectively an away game for the Ivorians.

"It was extraordinary," Rodriguez said, "it was very much in our favor that Colombia could win."

The crowd roared with relief at the final whistle, with Drogba's introduction in the 60th minute helping pep up Ivory Coast's attack that had previously looked rudderless with Wilfried Bony as the lone striker.

"I must say that we didn't deserve to lose," Ivory Coast coach Sabri Lamouchi said. "It was a very experienced Colombia team who waited for us to make mistakes."

The Ivorians may still need to beat Greece in their last group game to reach the knockout stage for the first time at a World Cup.

GROUP D

URUGUAY 2, ENGLAND 1

SAO PAULO -- Luis Suarez scored twice to give Uruguay a victory over England, making an instant impact on his return from injury to revive his team's Group D campaign.

The Liverpool striker, who hadn't played since undergoing surgery on his left knee last month, lashed in the winner in the 85th minute, after seeing his first-half opener canceled out by Wayne Rooney.

After surprisingly losing its Group D opener to Costa Rica, Uruguay's qualifying chances have now been given a major lift, while England's hopes of advancing to the round of 16 are in real jeopardy after its worst World Cup start in more than half a century.

Suarez seemed to revel in inflicting England's second successive loss in Brazil, having been punished twice by the country's Football Association for misdemeanors, serving bans for racism and biting in the Premier League.

Of Uruguay's six efforts on target, five were from Suarez -- including the two that beat goalkeeper Joe Hart as England's slack defending was exploited.

By taking his World Cup tally to five goals, Suarez ensured that Rooney's first-ever goal in 10 matches on football's biggest stage was in vain at his third tournament.

Rooney tapped the ball home from close range in the 75th minute after connecting with Glen Johnson's pass. Having also lost against Italy, England now faces the prospect of not advancing from the group stage for the first time since 1958.

"We are a team that is making progress but results decide everything and both results have been negative," coach Roy Hodgson said.

GROUP C

GREECE 0, JAPAN 0

NATAL, Brazil -- Reduced to 10 men after captain Costas Katsouranis was sent off in the 38th minute with his second booking, Greece held on for a draw with Japan that keeps both alive in Group C and sends rival Colombia to the next round of the World Cup.

Both teams inserted new strikers in search of goals and a first victory, but ultimately the goal was survival and both did that with one match left in group play. Japan would have been eliminated with a loss.

Once Katsouranis was sent off after a rough challenge on Makoto Hasebe, Greece withdrew into a defensive setup and held firm. Greece surrendered three goals in a loss to Colombia, but even short-handed was better organized against Japan and avoided any critical mistakes.

Sports on 06/20/2014