Colombia beat Ivory Coast 2-1 in a gripping World Cup match

Colombia are now on the verge of a berth in the knock-out round as they now topped the group with six points

A terrible defensive lapse cost Ivory Coast dear as Colombia defeated them 2-1 in a gripping World Cup group match which saw three goals being scored in the space of just nine minutes here today.

Ivory Coast defender Serey Die cut back the ball on the path of Colombian striker Juan Quintero to gift him a goal in the 70th minute after another youngster James Rodriguez had given the South Americans the lead in the 64th minute.

Gervinho pulled one back for Ivory Coast in a sublime solo effort in the 73rd minute in the Group C the match which was livened up in the second half after a barren opening session.

The young generation of the South American side took the centrestage with 22-year-old Rodriguez and 21-year-old Quintero scoring a goal each in front a partisan Colombian crowd at the Estadio Nacional.

Colombia, who had thrashed Greece 3-0 in their opening match, are now on the verge of a berth in the knock-out round as they now topped the group with six points with one match remaining -- against Japan on June 24.

The South Americans, who are returning to the World Cup finals stage after a gap of 16 years, had reached the round of 16 in 1990 in Italy.

Ivory Coast legend Didier Drogba came at the stroke of the hour mark in place of B Wilfried just like he did against his side's 2-1 come-from-behind victory against Japan but this time, he could not inspire the African side to a victory or at least a draw.

Ivory Coast, who play Greece in their final group match on June 24, made a frenetic effort to get an equaliser in the final minutes but the Colombia defence led by captain Mario Yepes were up to the task.