Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast:

Those dangerous counter-attackers from Colombia are lying in wait for England if Roy Hodgson’s men make it through to the knockout stages.

Goals by £40million-rated James Rodriguez and substitute Juan Quintero deservedly ensured the South Americans secured their second consecutive win as Ivory Coast’s big stars Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony failed to turn up.

Colombia top Group C with six points and are set to face the runners-up of Group D, featuring England, in the last 16.

Despite their defeat, Ivory Coast could also still qualify and they claimed the goal of the day in Brasilia – a superb individual consolation effort from their former Arsenal forward Gervinhio.

Colombia were once tipped to win the World Cup by Pele in 1994 – and failed to get out of their group.

This team built by their Argentine coach Jose Pekerman is made of sterner stuff despite being without their best striker Radomel Falcao for the tournament.

Not only are the yellow-shirted South Americans arguably the quickest team at the World Cup, they matched Ivory Coast physically too. And they know how to have fun – celebrating together with a group hip-wiggling dance in honour of fellow Colombian Shakira.

For once Manchester City powerhouse Yaya Toure was dominated in midfield by his permanent shadow Carlos Sanchez and Bony didn’t get a kick until he was replaced by Drogba.

Colombia took 64 minutes to make their domination pay after Juan Cuadrado had earlier hit the post.

Cuadrado’s excellent corner was met by man-of-the-match Rodriguez who climbed high above marker Didier Zokora to connect with a powerful header into the roof of the net.

Rodriguez is valued at £40million by his club Monaco and has plenty of suitors including Manchester United.

His tenacity and quick-thinking led to Colombia’s second goal after 70 minutes, robbing Serey Die after Ivory Coast had made a hash of a set-piece. A quick interchange of passes and substitute Quintero ran behind the Africans defence to score.

‘The team is so emotionally strong,’ said manager Pekerman, who is so popular he polled 400,000 votes in Colombia’s recent Presidential election, even though he wasn’t standing. ‘

‘We are never going to lack courage no matter who we play. To see thousands of our fans in the stadium helped us in such a tough game.’................

Source : DailyMail