Injury-time penalty kick lifts Greece

FORTALEZA, Brazil — Georgios Samaras scored an injury-time penalty to put Greece into the second round of the World Cup with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast on Tuesday.

Samaras was adjudged to have been tripped in the area by substitute Giovanni Sio, and calmly slotted in the spot kick for a win that puts Greece, the runnerup in Group C, through to the knockout stage. Ivory Coast would have advanced with a draw.

“This means so much to me, to us. . . . Tonight we had energy,” Samaras said, dedicating the victory to Greeks suffering through financial crisis. “We really hope we can make the people happy back home. We are a team. A team — that’s it.”

The Greeks had taken the lead just before halftime through substitute Andreas Samaris, but substitute Wilfried Bony equalized for Ivory Coast in the 74th, beating goalkeeper Pangiotis Glykos from close range after being set up by Gervinho.

COSTA RICA 0, ENGLAND 0

BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil — With qualification to the round of 16 already secured, Costa Rica held England to a 0-0 tie to secure the top spot in Group D. And it is England and Italy taking early flights home from Brazil, not the less illustrious footballing nation.

“We are really happy because this was called the ‘Group of Death,” Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto said through a translator.

“We always thought we would win. Everybody who comes to play at a World Cup thinks they are going to win. The other teams were really difficult, but we came with victory in mind.”

COLOMBIA 4, JAPAN 1

CUIABA, Brazil — James Rodriguez scored a brilliant goal and set up two more for Jackson Martinez as Colombia routed Japan to confirm the top spot in Group C and eliminate the Asian champions from the World Cup.

Already assured of advancing, Colombia guaranteed first place with its third straight victory, setting up a second-round match against Uruguay.

The Colombians started with a virtual second-string lineup but still went in front when Juan Cuadrado — one of the few regular starters — drilled in a 17th-minute penalty.