Colombia beats Greece 3-0 in Group C opener

Colombia opens its 1st World Cup in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0

6/14/2014
ASSOCIATED PRESS
  • Brazil-Soccer-WCup-Colombia-Greece-1

    Colombia's Pablo Armero celebrates after scoring during the group C World Cup soccer match between Colombia and Greece at the Mineirao Stadium in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    • BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil — Colombia started its first World Cup campaign in 16 years in dazzling fashion, beating Greece 3-0 with goals from Pablo Armero, Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez in the Group C opener today.

    Left back Armero opened the scoring in the fifth minute when his deflected shot rolled past Greece goalkeeper Orestis Karnezis. Striker Teofilo Gutierrez poked in Colombia’s second goal from a deflected corner in the 58th that confused Karnezis and two defenders covering the near post.

    Greece had a chance to pull a goal back after Gutierrez’s goal, but an unmarked Georgios Samaras rattled the crossbar from close range.

    James Rodriguez scored with a low shot in stoppage time after a slick backheel flick from Juan Cuadrado