Good evening! After a dramatic finish to Group D earlier, attention now turns to Group C, with Japan seeking a win to give themselves a chance of joining tonight's opponent, Colombia. The team news is already out, so let's take a look at the sides...

JAPAN STARTING XI: Kawashima, Uchida, Nagatomo, Hasebe, Konno, Yoshida, Okubo, Aoyama, Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa

COLOMBIA STARTING XI: Ospina, Arias, Armero, Guarin, Valdes, Balanta, Cuadrado, Mejia, Martinez, Ramos, Quintero

JAPAN SUBSTITUTES: Sakai, Morishige, Endo, Kiyotake, Kakitani, Nishikawa, Yamaguchi, Osako, Inoha, Saito, Sakai, Gonda

COLOMBIA SUBSTITUTES: Zapata, Yepes, Carbonero, Sanchez, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Vargas, Ibarbo, Bacca, Zuniga, Mondragon

Understandably, the already-qualified Colombia have chosen to rest quite a few players this evening. James Rodriguez and Teofilo Gutierrez are among those to drop to the bench, as is captain Mario Yepes. Juan Quintero, who scored off the bench agains Ivory Coast, gets a start, as does rumoured Arsenal transfer target Jackson Martinez, who was in fine form in the Portuguese league last season.

There are two changes for Japan as Hotaru Yamaguchi and Yuya Osako drop out, with Shinji Kagawa starting up front while Toshihiro Aoyama comes into the midfield. It's a strong side for the Japanese who need to win to stand a chance of reaching the last 16.

However, if Japan are to progress from the group, they need a favour from Greece as Japan will only reach the last 16 if they win and Ivory Coast lose. You can also follow live coverage form that match with Sports Mole this evening if you want to keep track of all the action in Group C.

This will be the third meeting between these two sides, with Colombia unbeaten from their two previous encounters. Their first match resulted in a 1-0 win in the 2003 Confederations Cup, while the pair shared a goalless draw in a friendly in 2007.

Striker Keisuke Honda is the only Japan player to have scored a goal so far this tournament. Ahead of this match, he told reporters: "Even though Colombia have already qualified, for us the game will be like a final and we'll be playing for our lives."

While Colombia have chosen to rest some of their regular starters tonight, veteran goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon remains on the bench. If he does manage to get some game time at some point during the tournament, he will become the oldest player to feature in a World Cup, as he will celebrate his 43rd birthday this weekend. Cameroon's Roger Miila currently holds the record, having faced Russia at 42 years and 39 days in 1994.

Colombia manager Jose Pekerman admits that the Japan squad is capable of reaching the next round: "We still have to face Japan, who are a team who are going to grow in their game and are capable of fighting for qualification. We will see how we deal with it as we move on."

There is still much to play for for Colombia, as they still need a point to make absolute sure that they will progress as group winners. The group winners will face Group D runners-up Uruguay in the next round, while the side that finishes second in Group C has a match against the surprise package that is Costa Rica.

REFEREE WATCH! Portuguese official Pedro Proenca takes charge of this match. The referee has already been busy this tournament, dishing out a red card to Cameroon's Alex Song during their match against Croatia.

Let's take a closer look at these two sides' history at the World Cup. Colombia are through to the last 16 for just the second time in their history, and the first time that they have claimed two wins in one World Cup. Meanwhile, Japan have been in the last 16 twice in the last three tournaments, but they have never beaten a South American team at a World Cup.

Colombia are on an impressive nine-match unbeaten run, winning five games and sharing four draws since their defeat to Uruguay in the qualifying campaign last September. Japan had been on a four-game winning streak coming into the World Cup, but have been unable to maintain their run in Brazil.

WEATHER UPDATE! It's a pretty toasty 32C at Arena Pantanal according to the latest weather forecast, and will remain around that temperature throughout the match. That shouldn't bother Colombia, as they have similar conditions in their home country, but it will be interesting to see who Japan cope.

PREDICTION! The players should be making their way out in the next couple of minutes, so before then it's time to make a prediction. Japan will obviously be the more desperate for the win, and Colombia have opted to use their reserves, but the South Americans still look pretty strong. I'm going for a 2-1 win for Colombia.

Here come the teams! Understandably, there are more Colombia fans in the stadium that Japanese fans, but the Japan supporters that have made the trip have some of the more eye-catching costumes that have been on display so far this tournament.

As with all World Cup fixtures, the anthems of both teams are to be played before kickoff. There's a polite cheer for the Japan anthem, but the stadium really comes to life when the Colombia anthem begins.

Just a quick note before we get underway. Hasebe and Yoshida are both on a booking from their earlier matches, so would miss the next match if they progress and are booked again tonight.

KICKOFF! Japan get the match underway.

The Japan centre-backs immediately press forward as they try to apply pressure inside the Colombia half. It looks like Japan are going to be pressing throughout as they need the win.

Despite Japan's bright start, Colombia are now dominating the possession with Jackson Martinez trying to make an impact in his first appearance of the tournament, while Quintero is also looking sharp. However, he can't keep hold of the ball as he looks to get a cross in down the left-hand side, allowing it to go behind for a goal kick.

Japan have a chance from a free kick around 30 yards out as Hasebe is carelessly dragged down by Guarin. Honda takes it, but the initial power behind the strike is absorbed by the wall before it loops into the hands of Ospina.

CHANCE! Kagawa wins the ball in midfield for Japan and launches an immediate move towards the Colombia box. Okuba gets the better of Balanta with some flashy footwork, but he hurries his shot and curls the ball wide.

Japan are starting to look pretty lively while on the ball, forcing Valdes to turn it behind for the first corner of the game. Balanta heads it clear to Aoyama, but the midfielder's flick back it is easily booted away.

CHANCE! There really is a great deal of determination in Japan's play at the moment as a long ball forward finds Honda, before Uchida unleashes a shot from range which is deflected behind for a corner. Hasebe tries to drill it in from the edge of the box after the initial corner delivery is cleared, but is comfortably saved by Ospina.

A clumsy lunge from Yasuyuki Konno on Adrian Ramos gives Colombia a spot kick.

It's a powerful shot straight down the middle from Juan Cuadrado to give Colombia the lead. It will come as a big blow from Japan as they had looked the more likely up until that point, but a moment of utter madness from Konno as cost them.

Japan are pushing to get back on level terms as soon as possible and swiftly win another corner down the other end, but Honda curling delivery is easily cleared. The midfielder picks it up again a few minutes later and lobs it back in, but he doesn't have enough support in the box.

Honda lines up a free kick from a similar area to the one he took earlier after Kagawa is fouled by Balanta, but it's the same result as the wall does it's job nicely for Colombia.

PENALTY APPEAL! Konno is living a little dangerous as he slides into Jackson Martinez on the edge of the Japan box, but this time the referee judges it to be a fair challenge. In fairness, it actually looked more like Martinez stumbled than was brought down, but it was a risky move from the Japan defender.

CHANCE! A brilliantly run from Kagawa gives Japan probably their best chance of the match so far as he rounds two defender before unleashing a strike, which Ospina is forced to tip wide for a corner. Yoshida tries to force it in from the corner, but it's deflected high before being gathered by the keeper.

Colombia pile forward as they look to double their lead, with Martinez picking out Ramos with a long ball forward before he pulls it back for Cuadrado. Ramos gets himself into space on the edge of the box before collecting it from the goal-scorer again, but Japan are able to clear as the striker takes a tumble.

Japan have another corner but it looks like Colombia have got it clear until Valdes brings down Aoyama , giving the Japanese side a free kick around 25 yards out right in front of the goal. Honda's strike clears the wall and dips well, but drifts just wide of the right post. That was agonisingly close for Japan.

Japan are having much the same problem that has prevented them from claiming a win in their first two matches - they're seeing plenty of the ball, but look vulnerable when their opponents break. Japan have had a massive 63% of the possession so far, yet find themselves behind.

Japan continue to dominate the possession, with Honda making a run down the right flank before crossing for Okuba, who tries an ambitious overhead kick, which wasn't actually that far off.

Colombia look to make the most of a counter-attack as Martinez finds Quintero, but the scorer of their winning goal from their match against the Ivory Coast last week completely mis-hits this effort, failing to trouble Kawashima.

Colombia are enjoying their first prolonged spell as possession at the minute as Cuadrado and Guarin team up in midfield, but they're unable to find a way to penetrate the Japan box and add a second.

CHANCE! However, they're soon on the move again as Ramos crosses the ball in low for Martinez, but the striker pulls his shot just a couple of inches wide.

UPDATE: If Japan needed an incentive to overturn the deficit they've got one, as Greece have taken the lead against the Ivory Coast. Remember, if Ivory Coast lose, a win would send Japan through. However, Greece can also go through if they hold on for the win, so it's all to play for! You can follow the other match in Group C here.

As a minute of stoppage time gets underway, Aoyama tries to drill the ball in from 25-yards out, but it's easily blocked.

What a finish to the first half! On the stroke of half time, Shinji Okazaki connects with a Honda cross to smash the ball into the back of the net with a header, leaving Opsina with no chance.

That sets the second half up nicely, as Japan still need another goal to usurp Greece for second place in Group C.

Looking at the stats, Japan will certainly feel like they deserved the equaliser. They had 14 shots with three on target, while Colombia created just three chances, with only Cuadrado's penalty testing the keeper. As we mentioned earlier, Japan have controlled the possession with 64%.

One thing that got overlooked in the excitement of the Cuadrado penalty earlier was Yasuyuki Konno's booking. The defender, who gave away the spot kick, was shown a yellow card for bringing down Ramos. It didn't seem to trouble him though, as he continued to make some committed tackles later in the half.

UPDATE: There was no late equaliser for Ivory Coast in the first half of their match against Greece as the African side have headed into the break trailing 1-0. A draw would be enough for Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and co to reach the last 16 tonight.

SUBS! The players are making their way back out, and there are going to be two changes for Colombia as Cuadrado and Quintero make way for James Rodriguez and Carlos Carbonero

KICKOFF! Colombia get the second half underway.

There's an early injury concern for Colombia as Jackson Martinez is brought down by Aoyama and seems to be in a bit of pain. Having just made a double change, they certainly wouldn't want to have to make their third so soon.

Not much to report in terms of chances since the action got back underway but Colombia have seen the majority of the ball so far. Rodriguez looks to create his first opportunity since coming off the bench, but it's deflected behind for their first corner of the match.

Colombia are beating down on the Japan goal again with Guarin working his way through a couple of Japan defenders before passing got Carbonero, but the substitute was offside.

Martinez has continued despite appearing to injure his foot a few minutes ago, but he's not moving that well. Rodriguez has bags of pace though as he makes a run down the line before looking for Guarin, who was fouled by Hasebe.

Martinez steps up to take the free kick, curling it is perfectly for Carbonero, but he couldn't quite reach it with his head.

James Rodriguez looks like he's getting ready to shoot after taking the ball into the box, but he slides the ball across to Martinez to hits it superbly first time to put Colombia back in front with his first international goal since February last year.

CHANCE! Japan threaten for the first time in this half as Kagawa creates himself some space on the edge of the box before trying to curl the ball past Ospina, but his finish was always rising, and fails to trouble the keeper.

CHANCE! Yuto Nagatomo comes forward to send a cross in from the left, which Ospina missed, leaving Okubo with a header into an open goal, but he timed he header poorly, missing the target.

Balanta may be a little lucky to still be on the pitch as he appears to elbow Japan goalscorer Shinji Okazaki in the face while the pair battled for the ball. It's difficult to tell from the replays, and everything looks back in slow-mo, but it may have been an intentional move by the defender.

SUB! As Okazaki receives treatment, Aoyama makes way for Hotaru Yamaguchi

BOOKING! Fredy Guarin is the first Colombia player to be shown a yellow card for tripping Kagawa. Honda goes for goal from 25 yards out, but Ospina is able to punch it clear.

CHANCE! Japan come within inches of getting back on level terms as Okubo tries to head in from close range, but he can't quite keep his finish on target.

PENALTY APPEAL! Japan continue to pile on the pressure inside the Colombia box and want a spot kick when Okubo goes down in the box, but he probably could have stayed on his feet, and the referee waves his shouts away.

SUB! Goalscorer Shinji Okazaki makes way for Japan as Yoichiro Kakitani provides some fresh legs up front.

Colombia finally manage to get the ball away from their box as Ramos tries to set up Rodriguez down the other end, but a poor ball into the box leaves the Monaco winger with no chance as it goes behind for a goal kick.

Colombia have suddenly upped their intensity and almost get a third when Martinez and Ramos team up in the box, but Uchida unsuspectingly gives away a corner when Maritnez's strike takes a deflection off his face.

UPDATE: Japan's chances of making the last 16 have been dealt another blow as Ivory Coast have got an equaliser against Greece through Wilfried Bony, which would send them through with Colombia as things stand.

James Rodriguez tries to be a little too clever as he looks to create something for Colombia, but ends up giving the ball away to Honda. Japan quickly win a corner, as Nagatoma tries to drill the ball in from just outside the box, but Ospina watches it all the way.

Colombia look to put the win beyond doubt as Ramos bursts into the final third, but his pass cross-pitch fails to reach Martinez and is cleared by Konno

Jackson Martinez has surely won it for Colombia with a fantastic left-footed finish from the right side of the box.

CHANCE! Kagawa almost gets one back for Japan as he chases down a Hasebe pass, but he pushes the finish wide.

SUB! On comes a bit of World Cup history as Faryd Mondragon, who was in the 1994 Colombia World Cup squad replaces David Ospina for the final six minutes. It's been nine minutes since his last international and at 43 years old is the oldest player to play in the World Cup. Opsina urges the crowd to give him a standing ovation as he comes on, and they obey he request.

Well it doesn't look like Mondragon is going to get much to do as Colombia continue to press, clearly keen to sign off a fantastic group campaign in style.

It's a wonderful finish from Rodriguez to make it four for Colombia as he picks up the ball to the left of the goal from Ramos before rounding Konno and coolly slotting the ball in low. What a performance from Colombia in this second half!

Well it looks like Colombia might finally be ready to settle for the score as they just keep the ball in midfield to run down three minutes of stoppage time.

UPDATE: A late penalty appears to have won it for Greece in the other Group C game, not that that really affects Japan at this stage.

SAVE! Mondragon is called into action with the last move of the game as Nagatomo tries to smash a consolation in, but the 43-year-old substitute keeper denies him.

So Colombia finish an impressive showing in Group C with three wins as they thrash Japan 4-1. The scoreline seems a bit harsh to be honest as Japan posed a threat throughout, but just switched off towards the end.

With Greece's late penalty in the other game as well as this result, Colombia will now face Uruguay in the last 16 on Saturday, while Greece progress as runners-up to play Costa Rica.

Well that's all from this match, but stick around for plenty of news and reaction from today's fixtures, and join us again tomorrow as Groups E and F come to a conclusion. Until then, thanks for joining me this evening, goodbye.