Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast World Cup 2014

Colombia are dangerously lying in wait for England even if Roy Hodgson’s men do make it to the knockout stages.

£40million-rated James Rodriguez and substitute Juan Quintero deservedly ensured the South Americans secured their second consecutive win, outplaying an Ivory Coast side whose big-name players Yaya Toure, Didier Drogba and Wilfried Bony disappointed.

Colombia top Group C with six points and will win it with a draw against Japan in their final match on Tuesday.

The Africans could also qualify for the knockout stages if they beat Greece in their final group game and they would have been lifted by a solo goal by former Arsenal striker Gervinho that set up a tense finish.

Both sides had started Group C with victories and the tens of thousands of Colombian fans who’d made the pilgrimage to Brasilia were in particularly optimistic mood.

Brazil 2014; Spain, Cameroon out of world Cup

Champions Spain crashed humiliatingly out of the World Cup on Wednesday after a second shock defeat, along with Cameroon that lost 4-0 to Croatia, while 2010 runners-up the Netherlands continued their perfect start with another high-scoring win.

Thrashed 5-1 by the Dutch in their opening game, Spain’s normally composed and incisive team again looked a spent force, allowing Chile to score twice in the first half then hold firm for a totally deserved, glorious win.

“It is difficult to explain,” bemoaned Spain captain and goalkeeper Iker Casillas, who was at fault on both goals and is likely to be among an old guard jettisoned for fresh faces.

“We ask people’s forgiveness. We are responsible but also the first ones to feel the pain.”

Brazil 2014: Why Jose Mourinho tips Eagles and Elephants

Chelsea Boss, Jose Mourinho, has tipped the Super Eagles of  Nigeria and the Elephants of Ivory Coast as the African countries to reach the second round of the 2014 Fifa World Cup in Brazil. The African champions, Nigeria, are in Group D alongside Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina and the Portuguese coach expects the Super Eagles to finish in second position behind the South Americans.

He opted to pick Nigeria to qualify behind Argentina and ahead of Bosnia and Iran based on the fact that they have a Chelsea player in John Obi Mikel. "I'll do the same I did in Group A. I'll have to say Argentina has to be the group winner. What makes me decide in favour of Nigeria is the fact that I have one player there (John Obi Mikel). I'll pick Nigeria as the runner-up," Mourinho said on Yahoo's Dirty Tackle.

African Nations Cup: Super Eagles of Nigeria are Big Threat to South African Bafana Bafana

The Africa Cup of Nations defending champions, Super Eagles of Nigeria have been drawn with South Africa and Sudan in the group stage of qualifying for the 2015 African Nations Cup in Morocco.

The Group A line-up will be completed by the winners of a preliminary tie involving Namibia, Congo Brazzaville, Libya and Rwanda.

Nigeria can be confident of making the 16-team finals between January 17 and February 8 in Moroccan cities Agadir, Marrakech, Rabat and Tangier.

They are a bogey side for South Africa -- never losing a competitive match to Bafana Bafana (The Boys) -- and Sudan have struggled lately.

Every draw creates a 'group of death' and Group G fits the bill with Tunisia, Egypt, Senegal and one from Burundi, Botswana, Central African Republic and Guinea-Bissau.

Egypt have lifted the Cup of Nations a record seven times, hosts Tunisia triumphed in 2004 and Senegal were the strongest third seeds.

Another mini-league set to generate fierce competition is Group D, which includes Ivory Coast, Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of Congo.