Greece’s Georgios Samaras converted an injury time penalty to break African Hearts around the world as Ivory Coast were sent back home with a spectacular squad that has dominated European football for a while.
Greece defeated star studded Ivory Coast after substitute Giovanni Sio was judged to have fouled Georgios Samaras. Samaras instead kicked the turf before falling to the ground for a controversial penalty that was awarded by the mistaken referee.
Didier Drogba and co, were on their knees as hope remained the only link between the Elephants and the last 16. Georgios Samaras unfortunately dispatched past determined Ivorian keeper Boubacar Barry for his first international goal since Euro 2012.
Swansea striker Wilfried Bony had earlier leveled the score in the 73rd minute when Gervinho picked up the ball at the edge of the box for a calm pass he drilled into the back of the net.
The Greek rattled the crossbar in the 31st minute before taking the lead through Samaris who exchanged a brilliant one-two with Samaras just after the Elephant’s Tiote carelessly lost the ball.
Ivory Coast’s Coach Sabri Lamouchi who looked excited at the 1-1 score during the second half resigned from his position after the misfortune.
Greece will face Costa Rica in the knockout stage on Sunday while the Ivorians failed to make it from the group third time in each of the last three World Cups.
Colombia 4-1 Japan
Colombia thumped Japan to set up a clash against South American giants Uruguay in the knockout round of 16.
Juan Cuadrado broke the deadlock in the 17th minute for Colombia through a penalty following Yasuyuki Konno’s foul on Adrian Ramos.
Shinji Okazaki’s header before half time rescued Japan but all was not finished as Colombia regained the lead through Martinez’s deflected strike in the 54th minute.
Honda lost the ball outside the Colombia area for Carbonero, Rodriguez who delivered a beautiful pass for a Martinez curl past Kawashima in the 82nd minute.
Colombia’s James Rodriguez netted his third of the World Cup after a counter attack that culminated an awesome 89th minute finish over Kawashima. It was his third in three games.
