James sees Colombia past Uruguay

Colombia set up a quarterfinal meeting with World Cup hosts Brazil after James Rodriguez scored twice in a 2-0 victory over Uruguay.

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Oscar Tabarez's side went into the match without Luis Suarez, who was suspended from all football for four months after biting Giorgio Chiellini in the victory over Italy, and they lacked his edge in attack as Rodriguez stole the show.

It was going to take something very special to stop this match being all about Suarez -- and 22-year-old Rodriguez provided it with the first of his two goals to set up a 2-0 win for a Colombian side who have made light of the injury-related absence of their own missing striker, Radamel Falcao.

Rodriguez, a teammate of Falcao's at Monaco, scored the goal of the tournament so far and has emerged as one of the outstanding players of the World Cup, with five goals now to his name.

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His moment of brilliance came in the 28th minute, when Abel Aguilar looped a high header to the edge of the penalty box, and Rodriguez -- after a quick glance towards goal -- controlled it on his chest and hit a magnificent volley on the turn that skimmed over the goalkeeper's fingertips and crashed in off the underside of the crossbar.

Initially, Uruguay broke up the game with some muscular tackling, as the game struggled to ignite. Colombia's Juan Zuniga did break forward on a lung-busting run, but his shot was too straight, into the chest of Uruguay keeper Fernando Muslera.

It was even until Rodriguez's moment, but after that Uruguay began to show more ambition.

Cavani put in a dangerous cross that Carlos Sanchez just cleared, then the Paris Saint-Germain striker struck a fierce free kick that sailed just over the bar.

Buoyed by that, Uruguay ended the half on the up. Their own Rodriguez, Atletico Madrid midfielder Cristian, tried his only volley, but Colombia keeper David Ospina parried it away desperately.

If the first goal had been all about individual excellence, the second was a wonderful team goal.

Rodriguez started the move, and several passes saw the ball shifted out to the left flank, where Pablo Armero's cross to the far post found Juan Cuadrado. The Fiorentina midfielder rose majestically to direct a classic header back to the edge of the six-yard box, where Rodriguez was waiting to fire home.

It was looking desperate for Uruguay, even more so when Cristian Rodriguez again found Ospina unbeatable after hitting a low, raking drive from 25 yards.

Cavani then found Christian Stuani with a wicked delivery to the back post, but the substitute striker's header was wide.

Maxi Pereira nearly bundled his way through to score, but Ospina came charging out to block.

Colombia now face the hosts in Sao Paulo. It will be James Rodriguez -- who was given a standing ovation when he was substituted with four minutes left -- against Neymar, and on this evidence we are in for a treat.