BRASILIA: A superb performance by playmaker James Rodriguez who scored one goal and created the other inspired Colombia to a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in their World Cup Group C match on Thursday and to the brink of the last 16.

Rodriguez, scoring his second of the tournament, and substitute Juan Fernando Quintero, with his first international goal, struck in the second half while Gervinho replied with a superb individual goal, his second of the finals, for the African side.

Colombia, making their first appearance at the finals since 1998, will qualify for the second round if the match between Japan and Greece ends in a draw or if the Greeks beat the Blue Samurai.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2014