£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.
