Colombia Inches Closer To Knockout Round by Defeating Ivory Coast

The biggest story of this FIFA World Cup so far has been the impact of the substitutions. It seems like the changes made by managers late in match have made a bigger impact during this World Cup then those of the past, today Colombia added to that trend as 53rd minute sub Juan Fernando Quintero scored the winning goal in the 70th minute to lift Colombia to a 2-1 victory over the Ivory Coast.

The win puts Colombia right on the cusp of advancing into the knockout round depending on the result of tonight's Japan-Greece match in Natal. If the two nations draw, Colombia will advance to the knockout round. Colombia can also advance to the knockout round if Greece were to win tonight. A Greece win would put them level with Ivory Coast with three points, those two nations match-up on June 24th which means only one of them could reach the six points necessary to knock Colombia out.

Anticipation for this match was high given that both teams already had a win and that they were not afraid to attack. Most media had predicted goals aplenty in this one including myself.

As with most matches during this World Cup, the nations took the first few minutes to feel each other out. I found this very ironic due to the very similar nature of both nations tactically.

The first shot on target came 17 minutes in off of a Colombia corner kick. Carlos Sanchez took a dipping shot from distance that was no trouble for Boubacar Barry. Ivory Coast would find Gervinho behind the defense on the next trip up the field but the play was blown dead for offside,

Nervous moments arose just five minutes later where Barry mishandled a corner kick in the box. Thankfully for him nothing came of it as the defense cleared the loose ball.

Forward Teo Gutierrez missed a great chance in the 28th minute after a great pass in the midfield. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado found James Rodriguez alone across the field with a great ball, Rodriguez would feed Gutierrez alone in the box but the forward's shot was turned just wide.

Ivory Coast would get their first good chance of the match just three minutes later after Serge Aurier beat center-back Mario Yepes with a nice step-over before his shot forced Ospina down to his left. The chance was made due to a poor distribution from Ospina after he made an easy save just moments before.

The match went into halftime level at 0 but it was a very entertaining first half with both teams looking to attack. It was only a matter of time before a goal would happen.

Yaya Toure would see the first few chances in the second half with a pair of costless kicks in first seven minutes. The better of the two efforts came in the 52nd minute when he wrapped the shot around the wall but it ended up just wide of the target.

It would be Wilfried Bony with the next chance after a lovely ball with the outside of the foot from Yaya Toure. Bony just needed to get a head on the ball but instead went for an unsuccessful overhead kick. Bony didn't need to attempt the strike with such theatrics.

Colombia would see the next bit of action which would ultimately result in the first goal of the match. The South Americans were able to keep sustained pressure on the Ivory Coast defense leading to a corner in the 64th minute. Juan Guillermo Cuadrado whipped the corner into the box which met the forehead of James Rodriguez would put the ball past Barry to give Colombia the 1-0 lead.

With Drogba on the pitch now, the Africans started to push for the equalizer with at least five shots on target over the next five minutes from Yaya Toure and Serge Aurier.

Unfortunately it would be a defensive lapse that led to the next goal as Teo Gutierrez picked off a pass between the Ivory Coast back-line leading to a 2-on-1 break. Gutierrez unselfishly passed off to the substitute Juan Fernando Quintero who beat Barry low and to the right to give Colombia the 2-0 lead.

The Ivory Coast would find a reply just three minutes from a great solo effort from Gervinho. The winger beat three defenders on a run before beating Ospina low and to the near post to bring the score line to 2-1 in favor of Colombia. Ospina was unlucky on that shot as he was able to get a hand to it but not keep it out.

Unfortunately that would be the last of the scoring in this very entertaining match. Didier Drogba did have a chance late but Ospina was quick off of his line to squash the chance.

Colombia travels to Cuiaba to face Japan on Tuesday while Ivory Coast will face Greece in Fortaleza.