BRASILIA, Brazil – Colombia is taking its dance party to the next round.
The Colombians are likely into the knockout round for only the second time, beating Ivory Coast 2-1 on second-half goals by James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero. As the final seconds ticked down Thursday afternoon, captain Mario Yepes waved his arms at the Colombian fans who packed the Estadio Nacional.
And when the final whistle sounded, a full-throated roar went up that could be heard all the way to Barranquilla. If the team advances as expected, it will be the first time since 1990 that Colombia will have gotten out of the group stage — and the Cafeteros managed it without injured stars Radamel Falcao and Carlos Bacca.
Ivory Coast still has a chance to earn its first trip to the round of 16, facing offensively-challenged Greece in its final Group C game.
Colombia has delighted World Cup fans with its goal-scoring celebrations, which features the entire team huddling together for a lively – and coordinated – shimmy and shake.
But it looked as if the dance party would have to wait for another day for much of the game, with neither Colombia nor Ivory Coast able to do anything with their opportunities. But just as when he came on against Japan, the appearance of Didier Drogba in the 60th minute changed the tone of the game.
Only this time, it wasn't in the Elephants' favor. Colombia scored twice in the first 10 minutes after Drogba came into the game, and it was Drogba whose defensive miscue led to Rodriguez's goal in the 64th. The two were jostling in front of the net on the Colombian corner kick, but Rodriguez outjumped Drogba by about a half – just enough room to redirect the ball toward the net.
Ivory Coast goalkeeper Boubacar Barry brushed the ball with his fingertips, but he couldn't push it high enough and it hit the top of the net.
Six minutes later, Colombia took advantage of a turnover by Serey Die to double its lead. Getting the ball from Teofilo Gutierrez, Quintero found himself one-on-one with Barry from about 15 yards. The Ivorian goalkeeper tried to block him, but Quintero's slick, left-footed shot rolled just beneath his outstretched arm.
Ivory Coast got one goal back in the 73rd when Gervinho beat two Colombian defenders and banged the ball off David Ospina's hands and into the net. He screamed and waved his hands at his teammates, as if telling them, "Come on! Let's get another!"
But the Colombians bunkered down and hung on for the win.
