Colombia overcame Ivory Coast 2-1 to take control of World Cup group C at the Estadio Nacional Mane Garrincha in Brasilia this afternoon.
After a quiet first half the game burst into life after the break as James Rodriguez’s header and Juan Quintero’s calm finish put the Colombians in a commanding position before Gervinho reduced the scoreline with a fine solo effort. Colombia held firm as the Ivorians applied late pressure to remain top of the group.
The Colombians, roared on by their vociferous supporters, created the best early chance through Teofilo Gutierrez, who scuffed his shot wide and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado proved to be a thorn on the flanks but was unable to find the right final ball.
Just before the half hour Gutierrez should have given the South Americans the lead; James Rodriguez’s ball found him totally unmarked in the box, but he mistimed his effort and it ended harmlessly wide. There were suspicions of offside, but no flag was raised.
Serge Aurier was the first to test David Ospina in the Colombia goal, but his low effort was easily saved. Despite the pace and intensity of the game neither side was able to break the deadlock as the game reached half time as chances were few and far between as Colombia looked the more likely to threaten.
Toure began to have more of an influence in the second half; his wonderful ball into the box found Wilfried Bony, however his acrobatic effort went wide as the Ivory Coast began to take command of the game.
Only a last ditch tackle from Mario Yepes, who won his 100th international cap, prevented Gervinho from giving the West African side the lead.
Colombia responded immediately as Cuadrado’s fierce cross was tipped onto the crossbar by Boubacar Barry in the Ivorian goal.
Moments later the pressure paid off as after 64 minutes Rodriguez’s powerful header beat Barry following Cuadrado’s corner, sending the numerous Colombian fans into rapture.
The second goal arrived shortly after. Serey Die was easily dispossessed in midfield following an Ivory Coast corner before Gutierrez played in Quintero who calmly stroked the ball home past the onrushing keeper.
The Ivorian response was almost instant as Gervinho cut in from wide, beating several Colombian defenders before unleashing a strike that beat Ospina at the near post to give the Ivorians hope.
The introduction of Didier Drogba clearly lifted the Africans and as the game entered the final ten minutes it was Colombia who were holding on. Salomon Kalou tamely fired at Ospina from a promising position and Mathias Bolly headed over as they came close to leveling the scores.
Agonizingly for Drogba, a misplaced back pass was just inches out of reach as Ivory Coast did everything but could not find the equaliser that their play deserved.
Colombia held on to earn their second win, and could be guaranteed of qualification depending on the result of Japan against Greece later this evening.
