Colombia beat Japan to set up knockout match against Uruguay

Juan Cuadrado successfully converted a penalty in the 17th minute after Yasuyuki Konno downed Adrian Ramos in the box.

Shinji Okazaki equalized for Japan just before half-time, converting a cross into the box from Keisuke Honda with a diving header.

Jackson Martinez rifled in Colombia's second goal low to the left of Eiji Kawashima after a cross inside the area from James Rodriguez.

The 22-year-old who plays for French side Monaco set up Martinez again in the 83rd minute and the Porto striker scored his second and Colombia's third goal to seal Japan's fate.

Martinez made it 4-1 in the last minute of the game to put Colombia safely top of Group C. He calmly chipped in the ball over Kawashima with his left foot from inside the box, setting off celebrations from Colombian fans at Arena Pantanal in the central city of Cuiaba.

Japan had at least three good chances to score in the first half as they pushed hard for a chance to qualify.

Yoshito Okubo intercepted a long pass into the Colombian box, made a turn past a defender but his left-footed shot went off target.

Makoto Hasebe had a shot on target saved by David Ospina.

Shinji Kagawa also had a chance, turning past Eder Balanta and rifling a shot on goal that was parried by Ospina.

Honda then had a brilliant free-kick brush the post after Fredy Guarin was yellow-carded for a foul, which ended a counter attack by seven Japanese players against three Colombians.

Adrian Ramos produced Colombia's best chance to make it 2-0 in the first half, making a fast run right of the Japanese box and crossing back to Martinez, who missed to the left.

Okubo missed a chance to make it 2-2 in the second half, sending a right-wing pass from Atsuto Uchida just over the bar, and Yuto Nagamoto had two shots on goal saved by Ospina.

Colombia, who won 3-0 against Greece in the first game, made eight changes to their line-up against Japan from the previous encounter with Ivory Coast, which the South Americans won 2-1.

Greece beat Ivory Coast 2-1 to finish second and make it to the last 16, where they face Costa Rica in Recife on Sunday, while Colombia can look forward to playing at the Maracana in Rio de Janeiro against Uruguay on Saturday.