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Attendance: 57,174
Colombia national football team
World Cup | Group Stage
Jun 14, 2014 at 5pm UK
 
Greece national football team

3-0

Armero (5'), Gutierrez (58'), Rodriguez (90+3')
FT(HT: 1-0)

Colombia ease past Greece in Group C opener

Colombia start their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 victory over Greece in Group C.

Colombia have got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start thanks to a 3-0 victory over Greece in Group C.

The Colombians made the breakthrough with just five minutes on the clock when Pablo Armero arrived in the box to scuff his shot home from 12 yards.

Colombia players celebrate Pablo Armero's opening goal in the World Cup Group C match against Greece on June 14, 2014© AFP

Greece almost responded instantly, but Panagiotis Kone could only slice his shot wide following a quick break from the former European champions.

Both sides showed little fear in going forward for the remainder of the opening half as James Rodriguez shot off target before Jose Holebas headed wide at the other end.

Colombia looked the more likely to score as the half drew to a close thanks to some incisive attacking play, but it was Greece who came closest when Kone's rasping drive from the edge of the area was parried away by David Ospina.

The South Americans started the second half in lively fashion, and they were able to double their lead on 57 minutes when Teofilo Gutierrez was on hand to prod in a corner from close range.

Teofilo Gutierrez of Colombia and Cristian Zapata celebrate after the second goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group C match between Colombia and Greece at Estadio Mineirao on June 14, 2014© Getty Images

Greece should have had a goal back five minutes later as Theofanis Gekas was afforded plenty of space inside the Colombia box, but the forward somehow hit the crossbar from close range when he looked certain to score.

The Greeks huffed and puffed as time began to run out for them, but they were unable to give themselves a lifeline as Giorgios Samaras curled a good chance wide late on.

Instead, Colombia made sure of the win deep in stoppage time as Rodriguez provided a cool finish into the bottom corner following a dynamic break.

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Colombia players celebrate Pablo Armero's opening goal in the World Cup Group C match against Greece on June 14, 2014
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Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
Q Netherlands Netherlands32107
Q Senegal flag Senegal32016
3 Ecuador flag Ecuador31114
4 Qatar Qatar30030

Group B

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Q England flag England32107
Q United States USA31205
3 Iran Iran31023
4 Wales flag Wales30121

Group C

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Q Argentina Argentina32016
Q Poland Poland31114
3 Mexico Mexico31114
4 Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia31023

Group D

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Q France France32016
Q Australia Australia32016
3 Tunisia Tunisia31114
4 Denmark Denmark30121

Group E

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Q Japan Japan32016
Q Spain Spain31114
3 Germany Germany31114
4 Costa Rica flag Costa Rica31023

Group F

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Q Morocco Morocco32107
Q Croatia Croatia31205
3 Belgium Belgium31114
4 Canada Canada30030

Group G

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Q Brazil Brazil32016
Q Switzerland Switzerland32016
3 Cameroon flag Cameroon31114
4 Serbia Serbia30121

Group H

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Q Portugal Portugal32016
Q Republic of Korea South Korea31114
3 Uruguay flag Uruguay31114
4 Ghana flag Ghana31023

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