Colombia started the last round of group stage matches already qualified into the top 16 by winning their first two matches. They further stamped their authority by giving Japan a beating in the final match which ended with the South Americans ahead 4-1.
With Colombia already safely in, the final round started with everything to play for between Japan, Greece and Ivory Coast with all three teams still in with a chance to qualify.
With Japan bowing out by losing miserably to Colombia, It was winner-take-all between Greece and Ivory Coast. The Greek squad beat out many European giants like defending champions Spain, England and Italy by making it to the top 16 after defeating Ivory Coast in their last group match.
Scenes of jubilation and despair and everything in between could be seen as the matches came to an end and the world cup dream continues for Colombia and Grecce while it ends painfully for Japan and Ivory Coast
See full Group C standings and match results here.
Greek fans celebrate their team's victory over Ivory Coast in their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match in Athens June 25, 2014. REUTERSA soccer fan wearing mask of Japan's national soccer player Yuto Nagatomo reacts next to a mock World Cup trophy after Japan was defeated in their World Cup match against Colombia, at Shibuya shopping and amusement district in Tokyo June 25, 2014. REUTERSGreece's Giorgios Samaras scores a penalty against Ivory Coast during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. REUTERSGreece's Andreas Samaris (obscured) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Ivory Coast at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. REUTERSIvory Coast's Geoffroy Serey Die reacts to a penalty conceded by teammate Giovanni Sio (not pictured) during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Greece at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. REUTERSJapan's Keisuke Honda reacts after the 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match between Japan and Colombia at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 24, 2014. REUTERSColombia's goalkeeper Faryd Mondragon celebrates his team's fourth goal against Japan during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 24, 2014. REUTERSColombia's team celebrates Juan Cuadrado's (3rd R) goal against Japan during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 24, 2014. REUTERSJapan's Shinji Okazaki reacts on the ground during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match against Colombia at the Pantanal arena in Cuiaba June 24, 2014. REUTERSGreece's Giorgios Samaras (top) approaches Ivory Coast's Boubacar Barry, after he scored a goal past Barry during a penalty kick, to offer his consolations at their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Castelao arena in Fortaleza June 24, 2014. REUTERS
