Final, Japan-Colombia 1-4, Greece-Ivory Coast 2-1: It’s over in both games.
Colombia romped to a comfortable victory over Japan, while Greece stunned Ivory Coast to clinch a spot in the knockout rounds.
Colombia had little to play for in the second half. Colombia would have won the group with a draw, but it thrilled its fans with a three-goal explosion in the second half.
Rodriguez is proving himself to be a star in this tournament, and he added a goal and an assist in the second half.
Colombia tops Group C in the end. It will face Uruguay on Saturday in the Round of 16.
Meanwhile, Greece stunned Ivory Coast with a 2-1 victory. Greece finishes runner-up in Group C and reaches the knockout phase for the first time in its history.
Greece will take on Costa Rica on Sunday in the Round of 16.
Here’s how the final Group C standings look.
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That’s all for now and thanks for joining us. Let’s discuss this one on Twitter @NESNsoccer and Facebook. Be sure to keep an eye out for some news, fan reactions, analysis and opinion that is on the way on NESN.com.
90th minute +2, Japan-Colombia 1-4, Greece-Ivory Coast 2-1: Samaras scores the penalty kick, and Greece is heading to the Round of 16.
90th minute +1, Japan-Colombia 1-4, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-1: It’s a penalty for Greece. Seo fouls Samaras from behind, and the referee points to the penalty spot.
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90th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-4, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-1: Rodriguez seals Colombia’s rout with a spectacular goal.
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85th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-3, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-1: Colombia makes a special substitution. Goalkeeper David Ospina is replaced by Faryd Mondragon.
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Mondragon, 43, becomes the oldest player to appear in a World Cup game, breaking Roger Milla’s record.
74th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-3, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-1: Martinez scores again for Colombia, and the South Americans are cruising to the top of Group C.
It came from a counter-attack. Martinez duped a defender with a dribble before curling his shot around Japan’s goalkeeper.
74th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-2, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-1: Bony scores, and Ivory Coast is sitting pretty once again.
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Gervinho might have been in an offside position when he received a pass in the Greece penalty area. Regardless, he slotted a pass back to Bony, who finished emphatically from 10 yards out.
Ivory Coast will advance if it can hold this score until the end. The Elephants can thank Gervinho first.
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68th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-2, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: Greece and Ivory Coast trade goal-scoring chances.
Ivory Coast forward Salomon Kalou missed the target with a curling effort. Moments later, Greece captain Georgios Karagounis hit the crossbar with a long-range shot, which would have put the Greeks into the Round of 16 had it gone in the goal.
62nd minute, Japan-Colombia 1-2, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: Greece still leads Ivory Coast, and the Ivorians are ready to go on the offensive.
Midfielder Tiote is replaced by striker Wilfried Bony.
Greece is trying to join the most select of company. Samaris’ goal was Greece’s first at the 2014 World Cup, yet it’s poised to advance to the next round.
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55th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-2, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: Jackson Martinez restores Colombia’s lead.
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The substitute James Rodriguez created the danger with a dribble inside Japan’s penalty area. Rodriguez then made no-look pass to Martinez, whose deflected shot beat Japan goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
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46th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: The second halves are underway.
Colombia made two changes during the interval. Juan Quintero is replaced by James Rodriguez. The goal scorer Cuadrado comes off with Carlos Carbonero taking his place.
Halftime, Japan-Colombia 1-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: After a couple of goals late in the first half, here’s where we stand.
Colombia will win the group with seven points if it can hold on for the draw. Japan outplayed Colombia for most of the half and earned its reward with the late goal from Okazaki.
Greece will overtake Ivory Coast for second place if it can maintain or add to its lead.
Japan and Ivory Coast would be eliminated with two and three points, respectively.
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45th minute, Japan-Colombia 1-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: Japan ties it up on the stroke of halftime.
Shinji Okazaki’s back was almost to goal when he dove and headed home a cross from Honda.
37th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 1-0: The substitute Samaris scores for Greece.
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Ivory Coast midfielder Cheik Tiote was under no pressure when he lost the ball in his own half. Greece forward Georgios Samaras was the willing recipient. Samaras then passed to Samaris, who dribbled into the area and beat Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry.
37th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Ivory Coast striker Didier Drogba is cautioned for an over-the-ball tackle.
33rd minute, Japan-Colombia 0-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Both games have seen quality scoring chances in the last couple of minutes.
Greece fullback Jose Cholevas hit the crossbar after surging forward on the counter-attack.
Meanwhile, Japan playmaker Keisuke Honda missed scoring with a curling free kick but only by a few inches.
If the scores hold, Colombia will advance as Group C winner. Ivory Coast will progress as runner-up.
24th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Greece makes another injury-enforced substitution.
Orestis Karnezis has suffered an apparent back injury. The Greece goalkeeper is replaced by Panagiotis Glykos.
18th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-1, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Juan Cuadrado slots home the penalty kick, giving Colombia an early lead.
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It’s a tough break for Japan, as it was putting Colombia under pressure before Konna’s foul on Arias.
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16th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-0, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: It’s a penalty for Colombia.
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Japan’s Yasuyuki Konna fouled Adrian Ramos in the penalty area and the referee points to the spot.
Konna is cautioned for the foul.
12th minute, Japan-Colombia 0-0, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Greece must make an early substitution, as winger Panagiotis Kone pulls up lame and can’t continue.
Andreas Samaris replaces Kone.
Eighth minute, Japan-Colombia 0-0, Greece-Ivory Coast 0-0: Both games have started slowly, but Colombia has seized control against Japan.
4 p.m. ET: Group C of the 2014 FIFA World Cup concludes Tuesday when Colombia takes on Japan, and Greece meets Ivory Coast.
Colombia already has clinched a spot in the knockout rounds. It can win Group C with a draw.
Ivory Coast can book a place in the Round of 16 with a win. A draw leaves it at the mercy of the other result.
Greece and Japan each have one point. They can progress with a win and some help in the other game.
History isn’t on Japan’s side.
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Here are the lineups:
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The games are underway. Join us right here for all the Group C action.
