FIFA World Cup 2014 Highlights: Colombia on Course for Last Sixteen after Edging Ivory Coast 2-1 [Photos and Video]

Colombia players dance after James Rodriguez scores a goal during the 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match between Colombia and Ivory Coast at the Brasilia national stadiumReuters

Colombia stepped closer to booking their place in the last sixteen of the 2014 World Cup after narrowly beating Ivory Coast 2-1 in their second Group C game at the Estádio Nacional de Brasilia.

James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero both recorded their names in the scoresheet in the second half as Ivory Coast were only able to pull one back through Gervinho.

The game started with Colombia getting an early chance through Teofilo Gutierrez but the striker's volley was wide off the target.

Ivory Coast created their first threat in the 23^rd minute when a powerful break from Yaya Toure released Gervinho. However, the winger was dispossessed before he could put pressure on the Colombian defence.

Moments later, the Ivorians launched another attack through Cheik Tiote, but the midfielder's 25 yard effort was off target.

Meanwhile, at the other end, Gutierrez wasted a very good opportunity to break the deadlock at the half hour mark. Cuadrado found Rodriguez with a long ball and the midfielder in sent a pass towards a completely unmarked Teofilo Gutierrez, who could only drag his effort wide of the post.

The second half saw Colombia attack with a greater urgency even though they were lucky not to concede after Wilfried Bony's effort when whistling off the post.

The South American's efforts soon bore fruit as they finally went ahead through James Rodriguez in the 64^th minute. The midfielder powered a header past Boubacar Barry after connecting with Cuadrado's corner.

After only six minutes, Colombia doubled their lead through Juan Fernando Quintero. A poor corner from Ivory Coast resulted in the South American side launching a quick counter attack that ended with Quintero slotting the ball past Barry.

Although the Ivorians finally managed to pull one back through the brilliance of Gervinho in the 74^th minute, they were unable to prevent Colombia from taking the three points.

Check out thr highlights of the match below:

Ivory Coast's Zokora fights for the ball with Colombia's Ibarbo during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match in BrasiliaReuters

Colombia's Zuniga fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Gervinho during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match in BrasiliaReuters

Colombia's Aguilar and Yepes jump for a header against Ivory Coast's Tiote and Bamba during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Colombia in BrasiliaReuters

Colombia's Rodriguez fights for the ball with Ivory Coast's Aurier during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in BrasiliReuters