Group C Recaps: Columbia Win by 3 and Greece Win on Controversial Call

The Group C recaps were Columbia vs. Japan and Greece vs. Ivory Coast. In the Columbia vs. Japan game, Columbia keeper David Ospina made saves in the first half by saving Keisuke Honda`s, Shinji Kagawa`s, and Yoshito Okubo`s shots from distance.Columbia scored in the 17th minute when defender Yasuyuki Konnon brought down Adrian Ramos in the box. Juan Cuadrado scored on the penalty in the bottom corner. Japan scored late in the half when Honda crossed it to Shinji Okazaki to head it in the near post. In the 55th, Columbia scored when James Rodriguez passed to Jackson Martinez to shoot it from close range. Rodriguez again passed it to Martinez for another goal duo as Martinez curled his shot to the far post. Sub Rodriguez scored in the 89th to make it 4-1 when he chipped a shot over Japanese keeper Eiji Kawashima after beating several defenders. Japan is eliminated, as Columbia won the group and will face Uruguay.
Next was Greece vs. Ivory Coast,. Winner would advance, loser eliminated, tie Ivory Coast advances. In the 35th minute, Jose Holebas of Greece came the other way after a Ivory Coast corner and from distance, hit the crossbar. Greece went up when Ivory Coast player Cheick Toite gave away the ball to Andreas Samaris, who slotted it home. Tiote shot a fierce shot in the second half, but Greece sub keeper Panagiotis Glykos stopped it. Giorgos Karagounis of Greece nearly scored when smashed one over in the 69th minute. Ivory Coast sub Wilfried Bony Bony shot from a low cross from Gervinho to tie it. Greece won a penalty in injury time when Sio tripped Georgios Samaras from behind. Samaras easily shot the ball in the net, as Greece will face Costa Rica next.