Greece (Grecia) 2-1 Ivory Coast

| Samaris, Samaras | Bony |

Colombia 4-1 Japan

| Cuadrado (P), Martinez (2), Rodriquez | Okazaki |

The 2014 World Cup produces yet more goals, upsets and drama as a spirited Greece side show great character reach the knock-out stages of the World Cup for the first time in their history.
Greece finish 2nd in Group C to set up a second round game against Group D surprise winners Costa Rica.

Colombia comfortably beat Japan (4-1) to win Group C to set up an all South American second round match against Uruguay.

Colombia are now the tournament’s second highest scoring team with 9 goals scored in 3 games.

– James Rodriquez scores in a third consecutive World Cup match (2014).

· James Rodriquez was involved in (scored/assisted) in 75% of Colombia’s goals (4) against Japan (4-1) tonight – in the shape of a 1 & 2 assists.

· Cuadrado has been involved in (scored/assisted) in 4 of Colombia’s 9 goals at the 2014 World Cup in the form of 3 assists & 1 goal.

· Colombia reserve ‘keeper Faryd Mondragon is brought on in the second half to become the oldest player to play in a World Cup finals game at the age of 43.

– Ivory Coast unfortunately are unable to qualify for the knock-out rounds of a third consecutive World Cup (2006, 2010 & 2014) having scored in 8 of their 9 group matches during that time.

– Samaras times it right to score his first goal for Greece in two years from the penalty spot in injury time to send Greece through.

· Greece become the 31st team to score at the 2014 World Cup to help them win their first World Cup match since beating Nigeria (2-1) 4 years ago in South Africa; The Euro 2004 winners had gone 3 World Cup games without a goal having failed to score against Argentina (2-0), Colombia (3-0) & Japan (0-0).

· Greece become the second team to qualify for the last 16 of the 2014 World Cup after losing their opening game – Uruguay earlier on were the first to do so at this year’s World Cup & Spain in South Africa in 2010 did likewise.

· Greece have now scored in 5 of their last 7 major International tournament games (Euro 2012 & World Cup 2014).

· Greece have kept clean sheets in 2 of their last 7 major international tournament games (Euro 2012 & World Cup 2014) but have conceded 11 goals in those 7 games.

– Greece have only scored a combined 5 goals in group games (6) at Euro 2012 & World Cup 2014 as well as failing to win in both opening games but still have managed to get out of the respective groups in Poland/Ukraine & Brazil.

– History repeats itself to some extent as Greece spring a surprise with a much needed win in their final group game to qualify for the knock-out stages, just like they did so against Russia (1-0) at Euro 2012 two years ago.

– Japan’s 5th consecutive World Cup sees them finish bottom of Group C.

· Keisuke Honda was involved in (scored/assisted) in Japan’s only two goals scored at the 2014 World Cup having scored one & assisted one versus Ivory Coast (2-1) & Colombia (4-1) respectively.