World Cup: Colombia through as Group C winners after victory over Japan

Jackson Martinez helped fire Colombia into the last 16 of the World Cup as Group C winners after a 4-1 victory over Japan in Cuiaba.

The South American nation were already assured of progress after defeating Ivory Coast and Greece and their third successive triumph sets up a second round meeting with Group D runners up Uruguay, while Japan finished bottom of the pile.
There was also a piece of history in the closing moments at the Arena Pantanal as Jose Pekerman sent on 43-year-old goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon for an emotional farewell outing for his country, making him the oldest player ever to appear in the World Cup finals, beating the record of Cameroon legend Roger Milla.
Pekerman’s side took the lead at the Arena Pantanal from the penalty spot in the 17th minute after Yasuyuki Konno foolishly felled Adrian Ramos, with Juan Cuadrado stepping up to calmly beat Eiji Kawashima.
Japan hauled themselves level seconds before the interval as Shinji Okazaki converted an excellent diving header from Keisuke Honda’s cross after getting in front of his man in the box.
But Martinez then restored Colombia’s advantage early in the second half as he drilled home with the aid of slight deflection after a wonderfully disguised pass from substitute James Rodriguez.
Martinez added a third on the break eight  minutes from time and Rodriguez, who had joined the fray at the interval, completed the scoring with an impudent shimmy and chip.