World Cup

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Attendance: 73,804

World Cup | Round of 16

Jun 28, 2014 at 9pm UK

Colombia
2-0
Uruguay

Rodriguez (28', 50')

FT(HT: 1-0)

James Rodriguez brace fires Colombia into quarter-final encounter with Brazil

By Christopher Dodd, Reporter

Published: June 28 2014 | 22:52

Last updated: June 29 2014 | 09:44

A James Rodriguez double gives Colombia a 2-0 victory over Uruguay in the last 16 of the World Cup, setting up a quarter-final encounter with hosts Brazil.

Two goals from James Rodriguez have fired Colombia into a quarter-final encounter with World Cup hosts Brazil, after Jose Pekerman's side earned a comfortable 2-0 victory over Uruguay at the Estadio Maracana this evening.

James Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 match between Colombia and Uruguay at Maracana on June 28, 2014 © Getty Images

Colombia were the first to threaten in a tame first half, with Juan Zuniga making use of Jackson Martinez's through-ball, only to smash his effort straight at the keeper from distance.

With both sides defending resolutely, chances were hard to come by in the opening period, however Rodriguez made his mark in the 28th minute as he took the ball down on his chest before dispatching a left-footed volley into the top corner of goal.

Uruguay's goalkeeper Fernando Muslera fails to save Colombia's midfielder James Rodriguez' (R) shot during the Round of 16 football match between Colombia and Uruguay at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil on Ju © Getty Images

Edinson Cavani looked to make use of one of Uruguay's few opportunities in the first half when he cannoned in a free kick from the edge of the area, though it was just a little too high as it went whistling over the crossbar.

Uruguay might have equalised just before the interval but for David Ospina, who pulled off a strong save to keep out Alvaro Gonzalez's acute volley.

Things were to get even worse for Oscar Tabarez's men after the break when first-half hero Rodriguez capped off some fine team play to convert past a helpless Fernando Muslera.

James Rodriguez of Colombia celebrates scoring his team's second goal and his second of the game with teammates Jackson Martinez and Teofilo Gutierrez during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil round of 16 match between Colombia and Uruguay at Maracana on June © Getty Images

The second goal injected a little bit of urgency into Uruguay as Cristian Rodriguez marauded forward, however Ospina was on hand to make another good stop to his left.

The Colombian keeper was in form yet again in the closing stages to keep out Cavani, who sought out a mere consolation with a stinging first-time effort towards the bottom corner, leaving the final score at 2-0.