Colombia midfielder James Rodriguez yesterday scored both goals to enable his country side secure a quarter-final clash against Brazil at the Maracana.
Rodriguez, 22, opened the scoring in spectacular fashion with a volley from 25 yards which crashed in off the bar.
Rodriguez finished off a wonderful team move with a close-range shot for his fifth goal of the tournament.
He has been arguably the man of the tournament so far and his double here means he tops the scoring charts with five goals while he also has two assists to his name.
Brazil are in his sights now. And he has given the hosts something to fear ahead of their last-eight clash in Fortaleza on Friday.
The first goal was special, the best of the World Cup so far.
Uruguay, without the suspended Luis Suarez, were poor throughout and fell further behind after the break.
Uruguay finished strongly and had chances to reduce the deficit but Maxi Pereira’s half-volley from close range was straight at the onrushing goalkeeper David Ospina who later saved a long-range strike from Edinson Cavani.
This match billed as the clash between two teams missing their star players on a stage but Rodriguez made sure that this last-16 clash still showcased one of the world’s best and it is hard to conceive that Luis Suarez or Radamel Falcao could possibly have made a greater impact.
If Suarez had played, he might have given Colombia some attacking thrust and caused them problems.