Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's World Cup last 16 clash between Colombia and Uruguay. We have already seen one cracking knockout game with hosts Brazil edging past Chile on penalties, and the winner of this match this evening will face the Selecao in the quarter-finals. We should have a great game on our hands, so let's take a look at the two teams on show...

TEAM NEWS: The team news is obviously surrounded by Luis Suarez, who serves the first of his nine-match international ban today. In his place, Diego Forlan returns to the fold, while there is still no spot for the injured Uruguay captain Lugano. Colombia, meanwhile, welcome Rodriguez, Gutierrez and Yepes, among others, back into their starting lineup, while Martinez keeps his place. Full team news for both sides coming right up...

COLOMBIA STARTING XI: Ospina, Zapata, Yepes, Sanchez, Armero, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Zuniga, Martinez

URUGUAY STARTING XI: Muslera; Godin, Pereira, Rodriguez, Forlan, Gimenez, Pereira, Arevalo, Gonzalez, Cavani, Caceres

So, what can we make of those two teams? Well, from Colombia's point of view they return to a side that resembles their first-choice XI more than the side they fielded against Japan in their last outing. With their passage into the last 16 already secured, Jose Pekerman made eight changes for that match, but the likes of Gutierrez, Rodriguez and Yepes return in what is a talented and dangerous side.

One of the standout performers from the World Cup so far has been James Rodriguez, who has had a hand in five goals already in Brazil. With three goals and two assists, he is averaging a direct say in a Colombia goal every 45 minutes that he has been on the field, and his finish against Japan last time out was really something special. His quality has been known for some time now, but this is the first time he has really shone on the world stage, and Colombia are reaping the rewards.

Juan Cuadrado has also impressed for the Colombians so far, combining with Rodriguez to form a potent and pacey attack. Cuadrado has been amongst the goals as well, while the main striker, Gutierrez, has also found the back of the net in Brazil. Having so many players in the team who are showing that they can perform on the biggest stage must be a huge plus for Jose Pekerman, and his side have evolved into many peoples' underdogs for the tournament now.

Jackson Martinez is another to be included in the starting lineup for today's match, and it will be interesting to see where Pekerman uses him. He possesses great quality but was left out of the first two games as Pekerman opted for a 4-2-3-1 formation with Gutierrez leading the line. However, Martinez made a big claim for a starting spot with two goals against Japan last time out, and Pekerman has decided to keep the striker in today.

As for Uruguay, they will have to make do without their talisman and record goalscorer Luis Suarez for the rest of the World Cup after he was punished by FIFA for his bite on Giorgio Chiellini in the final group game against Italy. Forlan, who started the match against Costa Rica in place of the injured Suarez, gets a recall as a result, and the veteran will be looking to rediscover the sort of form that saw him voted as the best player of the 2010 tournament in South Africa.

Another player absent for the Uruguayans is skipper Diego Lugano, who remains sidelined with a knee injury. It is a problem that kept him out of the England and Italy games as well, and it is fast becoming more troublesome than first feared. It remains to be seen whether he will be fit in time for the quarter-finals should Uruguay get there.

Alongside Forlan in attack is arguably Uruguay's most dangerous player now that they are without Suarez, Edinson Cavani. The PSG man opened the scoring against Costa Rica from the penalty spot, but other than that he hasn't had a massive influence on the tournament so far. As the main man once again he will have another chance to prove himself tonight, and he will be keen to show that Suarez's absence does not turn Uruguay from contenders into also-rans.

Another man who has found the net for Uruguay at this World Cup is Diego Godin, who got the goal that booked La Celeste's place in the last 16. It was just one of a number of hugely important goals that Godin has scored in the last month or so, including the strike that effectively won Atletico the title and one in the Champions League final. He is a top quality defender, but also a big threat at the other end and one that Colombia will have to be wary of.

The Colombians will be coming into this match full of confidence after a very impressive group stage that saw them ease past Greece, Ivory Coast and Japan on their way to the last 16. They were one of only four teams to come through the group stages with a 100% record, something made even more impressive by the fact that Radamel Falcao - a man widely regarded as their most talented player - is missing the tournament through injury.

They also showed that they have great depth in their ranks as well, with Pekerman making eight changes for the match against Japan and still running out 4-1 victors. The likes of Martinez and Bacca - who scored 50 goals between them at club level last season - were not in the starting lineup at the start of the tournament, while the latter still only makes the bench tonight, albeit partially down to injury.

It must be said that the signs of Colombia's quality were evident before the World Cup came around. They finished second in South American qualifying, behind only Lionel Messi's Argentina by two points. They finished five points above tonight's opponents Uruguay in that section and also boasted the best defence in qualifying, letting in just 13 goals.

While their qualifying campaign showed that they have a formidable defence, so far at this World Cup there has been more evidence of their free-flowing attack. Led by the impressive Rodriguez, they scored nine goals during the group stages, an average of three per game and a tally that only Netherlands (10) can beat. They will fancy their chances again against this Uruguayan defence, which shipped three goals to Costa Rica's pacey attack in their opening match of the tournament.

Colombia are now unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions and have only lost two of their last 23 outings. They have won each of their last four games, including all three in the groups, and overall have won six and drawn four in that 10-match unbeaten streak. Incidentally, the last team to beat them were Uruguay, who triumphed 2-0 in a qualifying match in September, with Cavani and Stuani the goalscorers.

One thing that you can say about Colombia so far at this World Cup is that they have been clinical. They had the best shot conversion ratio in the group stages, with 31% of their efforts finding the back of the net. They don't tend to be quick starters, however, with nine of their last 11 World Cup goals coming in the second half of matches. That will be a concern for a Uruguay team that seemed to fade after the break against Costa Rica.

This is already nearing their best ever World Cup showing, with their tally of three wins in this tournament matching the amount of victories they had enjoyed in their previous 13 World Cup outings. They have never reached the quarter-finals before, with their only previous World Cup knockout match ending in defeat at the hands of Cameroon at Italia '90.

It is fair to say that Uruguay pose the toughest test yet for Colombia, however, and the streetwise and savvy Celeste know how to grind out results where Colombia perhaps don't This is Colombia's first World Cup since 1998, while Uruguay reached the semi-finals in 2010 courtesy of a Suarez handball in the dying stages of extra time against Ghana in the last eight. The Africans missed the resulting penalty and Uruguay went on to win the shootout before being eliminated in the semis.

Their place in the last 16 was under serious threat following their opening defeat to Costa Rica, however, and they have already achieved an impressive feat in recovering from that to reach the knockout stages. A Suarez-inspired victory over England was followed by a narrow 1-0 win over Italy, a game and result that almost snuck under the headlines courtesy of Suarez's headline-making antics again.

The absence of Suarez could well have a telling impact on their World Cup hopes, and the vibes coming from the Uruguay camp suggest that they know exactly how big a blow it is. Manager Oscar Tabarez has already resigned from two roles in FIFA in protest at the ban Suarez was given, while there was even talk of the Uruguay team boycotting this match today. A number of people, including Chiellini himself, have expressed a belief that the punishment for Suarez was excessive, but Uruguay cannot have expected him to play any further part in the World Cup having seen what he did.

Suarez's importance to the team cannot be understated. He was the top scorer in all of South American qualifying, above even Messi, and without him Uruguay may not have even made it to Brazil. As it was, they snuck in via the playoffs having finished fifth in the South American stage, thrashing Jordan 5-0 over two legs to book their spot on the plane. It certainly wasn't the most convincing of qualifying campaigns, but it is worth noting that they also needed a playoff in 2010, and went on to reach the semis.

The last two World Cup matches that Uruguay have been without Suarez have both resulted in defeat, at the hands of Netherlands in that 2010 semi-final and again against Costa Rica in the opening game. It is fair to say that they looked like a much more threatening outfit with Suarez against England than they did without him against Costa Rica, and a repeat of that latter performance today would surely see Colombia progress into the quarters. They need to find a way to cope without their talisman.

They are in decent form heading into this game, however, with just one defeat in their last nine matches. That solitary loss was, of course, a disappointing one against Costa Rica, but they have also won six and drawn two games in that good run of form, as well as keeping five clean sheets. They are also on a good scoring run in this tournament, finding the back of the net in each of their last nine World Cup outings.

Uruguay will be hoping that the setting for this match will help to inspire them to what would be a minor shock. The Maracana was the scene of the greatest moment in Uruguayan football history as they stunned Brazil in the de facto final of the 1950 World Cup. That 2-1 result was so shocking that it is still seen as a shadow that looms over Brazil football, and much of the need for the Selecao to succeed on home soil this year is to finally banish the demons of the 'Maracanazo'.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes from kickoff here, which means that it is time for a prediction! This really is an intriguing game between two sides that know each other well. Colombia have been very impressive so far, but Uruguay have the knowhow on their side and the quality to hurt Colombia, even without Suarez. However, I think that Jose Pekerman's side are on a roll at the moment and will take the game to a Uruguay team that feels hard done by. Uruguay could well have a siege mentality, but I'm going for 3-1 to Colombia.

These two sides have met each other 38 times before, with Uruguay boasting the superior record overall with 18 wins to Colombia's 11. There have also been 97 goals in those 38 matches, so we could bring up a century with three goals today. The last meeting saw Uruguay come out on top 2-0, although the reverse fixture in qualifying ended with Colombia resounding 4-0 victors.

The two teams have met once at the World Cup before, and incidentally it was Colombia;s first ever match in the tournament. That ended in a Uruguay victory in Chile in 1962 and remains, before today, Colombia's only ever meeting with a South American side at the World Cup. Uruguay, meanwhile, have not beaten South American opposition in a World Cup knockout game since that 1950 victory over Brazil in the Maracana, but have only lost one of their last eight meetings with Colombia, winning six.

A reminder that the winners of this match will face Brazil in the quarter-finals of the World Cup after the hosts eliminated Chile in the first knockout game earlier today. They needed penalties, however, after a thrilling 1-1 draw over 120 minutes. The atmosphere inside the stadium was incredible during that match, and we're expecting more of the same with two more South American sides tonight.

We're just about ready to go at the Maracana, with all the pre-match rituals having been completed. This has been an excellent World Cup so far, and we're expecting more of the same tonight. This really should be an interesting encounter between two South American rivals.

KICKOFF: Uruguay get us underway at the Maracana amidst a bouncing atmosphere in Rio. Who will book a spot to play the hosts in the quarter-finals?

Early moment for referee Bjorn Kuipers to deal with as Alvaro Pereira and Cristian Rodriguez nibble at the heels of Cuadrado, which prompts an angry reaction from a couple of Colombian players. The referee just calms things down with a word to those involved.

Great footwork from Cuadrado as he skips away from a couple of defenders before racing down the right flank. Again Pereira puts a foot in to stop him, although this time it was more a case of Cuadrado kicking the defender's leg. Still, the referee gives a foul, and Colombia have a free kick in a good position.

The free kick comes to nothing, however, as Rodriguez's delivery is punched away by the keeper. It has been a scrappy opening to this game, but Colombia have edged it so far.

Uruguay have changed their tactics a little in this match, playing with a back three and both Pereiras as wing-backs. Injuries may have forced his hand in that regard, but it should also help them deal with the dangerous Colombian attackers.

Decent spell for Uruguay after they began the match on the back foot. However, their time on the ball is not being warmly received in the stands, with the overwhelmingly pro-Colombia support booing and whistling whenever Oscar Tabarez's men have the ball.

SAVE! Jackson Martinez finds Zuniga in midfield, and he has a little bit of green grass ahead of him to run into. He winds up and lets fly from distance, but Muslera makes the stop as the second time of asking. The shot just bounced awkwardly in front of him, making it harder to collect first time.

It's Uruguay's time to had a dig from range, but this effort is less successful. Cavani does well to win the ball back inside the Colombia half before giving it to Forlan, but the veteran striker's left-footed effort from 35 yards out is a long way over.

Colombia are looking to press high up the pitch here, limiting the time Uruguay have on the ball. We saw that tactic carried out to perfection by both Brazil and Chile earlier today, and it is one that can bring success if the team press as one throughout.

Colombia have had the better of these opening exchanges, with Uruguay happy to get all 11 players behind the ball if necessary. They do look to attack in numbers when in possession, but when Colombia have the ball they look to leave no gaps in defence whatsoever.

Godin looks to float a long ball over the top for Cavani, who just about manages to latch on to it but can't take it down and keep it in. Good idea, but it was a tough ask for Cavani to make anything of that one.

Good play from Zuniga on the right as he jinks past Pereira before immediately firing a cross into the box that is cleared away. Uruguay really are defending deep and refusing to be dragged out of position here, inviting Colombia to play through them.

Cuadrado has looked really bright so far. Once more he skips past a couple of tackles before beating Arevalo, who blocks him off and concedes the free kick. That comes to nothing, but Cuadrado looks most likely to create something for Colombia so far.

Uruguay are still defending deep, allowing Colombia all of the ball as their defenders knock it about patiently. The back three are refusing to give the Colombian attackers any space in behind, which of course means that they can't use their pace to its full potential.

Colombia need to find a way to drag the Uruguayan defence out of their set positions. There are so many blue shirts behind the ball that it is tough for them to create anything down the middle, and the deep back three means that long shots look like their best chance.

What was I saying?! James Rodriguez opens the scoring with a goal that could quite possibly be the best we have seen in this tournament so far! It is a stunning strike as he takes the ball down on his chest before firing a magnificent left-footed volley into the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. Stunning, stunning goal from Rodriguez.

What a player Rodriguez looks. He was a big-money signing not long ago but is now drawing the attention of some of the world's biggest clubs, and that is exactly why. That is four goals in four games at this World Cup, putting level with Neymar, Messi and Muller as the top scorers in the tournament so far. He has now also scored in each of his last six internationals.

Uruguay come looking for an equaliser straight away, with Cavani looking for Forlan inside the box. However, Sanchez intervenes with a vital header behind for a corner.

SHOT! This time the Uruguayans have a free kick in a dangerous area and, with no Suarez about, it is Cavani who takes on the set piece duties. His effort has pace on it as it gets over the wall, but he just can;t get it back down in time, with the ball fizzing a yard or so over the top.

That Colombia goal really is a good thing for the game. Uruguay looked set up to frustrate their South American counterparts and try to nick one on the break late on, but now they must come out of their shell and push for a goal themselves, which should open things up a bit.

Gutierrez tries something similarly spectacular as the ball pops up to him on the corner of the area. He tries a first-time volley on the turn, but it is a very ambitious effort and he doesn't catch it right, allowing the keeper to collect.

Bit of a flash point between Yepes and Forlan, who clashed as Alvaro Pereira played a good ball into the box. Forlan was unhappy about being blocked off and reacted angrily, but the ref calms things down.

SAVE! Ospina hasn't had anything to do tonight, until now. Gonzalez unleashes a fine volley from a tight angle, sending the ball towards the top corner despite it being a tricky one to hit. Cavani almost gets a touch on the way through, but that doesn't put off Ospina, who dives to his right to make the stop.

Uruguay have certainly shown more attacking intent since going behind, but Colombia are controlling the ball well when they get it. They are playing some nice football and, as things stand, deserve their one-goal advantage.

Still no way through for Uruguay as Colombia continue to defend well. They aren;t afraid of playing football in all areas of the pitch either, which is good to see and is certainly exciting for their fans. Ospina has still had just the one save to make so far.

There will be a minimum of one minute added time at the end of this first half.

The referee brings an end to the first half, and it is Colombia who have gone into the break ahead courtesy of a magnificent strike from Rodriguez. Uruguay began the match defending very deep and it took something special to find a breakthrough. Uruguay now need to come out of their shells and find an equaliser or they will find themselves out of the World Cup.

By far the best moment of the first half was the goal from James Rodriguez, who continued his superb form at this World Cup with quite possible the goal of the tournament. The forward chested a ball down around 25 yards from gaol before firing it left-footed past a helpless keeper and in off the underside of the bar. It truly was a special strike and exactly what Colombia needed.

In truth, it was tough to see how Colombia were going to break through a Uruguay defence that seemed intent on frustrating their fellow South Americans. Oscar Tabarez set his team up to defend in numbers, with at least 10 players behind the ball most of the time and the central back three refusing to be dragged out of their deep positions. It looked like it would need a moment of magic, and that is exactly what we were treated to.

Uruguay responded by showing more attacking intent, and they almost got an equaliser through a powerful Gonzalez volley that Ospina did well to stop. That is the only thing that the Colombian keeper has had to do so far, however, and Cavani, Forlan and co need to pose more of a threat in the attacking third if they are to save their World Cup here. Colombia, meanwhile, are 45 minutes away from reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

In truth, we didn't see much goalmouth action throughout that first half aside from the goal and a shot apiece. Hopefully we will see more as the match begins to open up in this second half, and I would be surprised if this one ended 1-0. Colombia refuse to park the bus and both sides can be dangerous on the break.

KICKOFF: Colombia get us back underway for what should be a very interesting second half. Can Uruguay get back into it or will Colombia hold out for the win that will take them into the quarters?

Decent start to the half from Colombia, who win a free kick in a good crossing position from the left. Rodriguez swings a dangerous ball into the box that Yepes nods onto a defender's head to win a corner.

The perfect start to the second half as Colombia double their advantage! It is a superb team move as some slick passing sees Armero released down the left. He hangs a cross up towards the back post for Cuadrado to latch onto, and he is very unselfish in nodding it back across goal when he could have gone for the glory himself. Rodriguez is there to convert the knockdown from close range for his second of the night.

The likes of Robben, Neymar and Messi have all shone at this tournament so far, but James Rodriguez is perhaps one that not many expected to thrive here. He already has five goals to his name, however, and could have more by the time Colombia's participation in Brazil is over.

URUGUAY SUBS: Double change from Tabarez as he looks to get his side back into this one. Both Forlan and Alvaro Pereira make way, while Christian Stuani and Gaston Ramirez come on in their places. That should see Uruguay revert to a back four again.

YELLOW CARD! The first card of the night goes to Gimenez, who dived in on Gutierrez without getting any of the ball. He can have no complaints about the card, but the biggest worry is that Colombia have a free kick in a very good position, with Rodriguez looking interested...

No hat-trick just yet for Rodriguez as he tries to drill the ball low, but the wall does its job, standing firm to block the effort.

What can Uruguay do now, then? They have not really looked like scoring tonight and now they need two at least to keep their World Cup dream alive. They have just over half an hour to get those goals, so they have little choice but to go all-out attack now.

Colombia seem content to bide their time now, waiting for the inevitable holes to appear as Uruguay get more and more desperate in their search for a goal. Pekerman;s side have been one of the most impressive teams at this tournament so far and, as things stand, their quarter-final clash with Brazil will be a fascinating match.

Nice play from Martinez as he juggles the ball before flicking it over a defender to launch a break. However, the attack is cut short as the referee pulls him back for a high foot, which is very harsh.

Good defending from Caceres as he slides into a challenge to poke the ball away from Zuniga, who had come hurtling forward from right-back and almost latched on to a one-two inside the box. The resulting corner comes to nothing.

SAVE! That's more like it for Uruguay. Cristian Rodriguez looks to run at the defence and he coasts past three or four players far too easily before letting fly from distance. He catches his shot really well, but it is a nice height for Ospina, who makes the save to his left.

Colombia are really dealing with Uruguay well at the moment. La Celeste are struggling to get any sort of rhythm, with Colombia on top in almost every are of the pitch. They look comfortable going into the final 25 minutes or so.

URUGUAY SUB: Gonzalez is the third and final man to come off for Uruguay, with Abel Hernandez coming on as his replacement.

COLOMBIA SUB: Colombia also make a change as Alexander Mejia comes on for Gutierrez.

A hint of an opening for Uruguay as Cavani makes his usual run to the near post from a corner. He gets to the ball first on this occasion, but his flicked header is too high and goes over the bar.

Uruguay have started to pose more of a threat in the last five minutes or so as they apply more and more pressure to the Colombian back line. Cavani whips a dangerous ball into the box here that Stuani tries to get on the end of, but Sanchez defends it well and it goes behind for a goal kick.

It is a tricky situation for Tabarez and Uruguay here. On the one hand they know that they simply must push men forward in these closing stages if they are to get the goals necessary to stay in the World Cup, but Colombia have players capable of doing a lot of damage on the break. Surely it is coming to the point where they must throw caution to the wind, though.

Slightly nervous play from Ospina as Stuani hoists a high ball towards the back post. The Colombian keeper is backtracking and seems to lose his bearings, so opts to push it behind for a corner rather than risking carrying it back into this own net.

Still no way through for Uruguay, who just seem to lack that piece of creativity and ingenuity without Suarez in their side. They have been very predictable so far, with Ospina's only two serious saves coming from long shots.

YELLOW CARD! Cheeky from Armero as he pokes the ball away just as Ramirez is about to take a quick free kick, and the Uruguayan comes scything through the left-back with a wild challenge. However, it is Lugano on the bench who is shown the yellow card, meaning that he would miss the quarters should Uruguay somehow launch a comeback.

CHANCE! Uruguay's best chance of the night by some distance sees the ball find a way through for Maxi Pereira, who has made a forward run into the box. He ends up through on goal and tries to poke the ball past the onrushing keeper, but Ospina makes a good stop.

COLOMBIA SUB: Cuadrado has had another good game this evening, but his match is over as he makes way to be replaced by Fredy Guarin for the final nine minutes plus added time.

Unsurprisingly it is Uruguay seeing the lion's share of the ball in these closing stages as they probe for an equaliser. There is still no way through for them at the moment, however, with Pereira's chance the only time they have looked capable of scoring all night really.

SAVE! Again Uruguay come forward, with the ball eventually dropping to Cavani on this occasion. The PSG man hit it first time towards the bottom corner, but Ospina is down well to his right to make the save, pushing it behind for a corner.

COLOMBIA SUB: Off goes the two-goal hero and surely now the match-winner James Rodriguez to be replaced by Adrian Ramos for the final five minutes or so.

Uruguay's resulting corner from that Cavani chance sees Godin leap highest in the area, but his effort seems to come off his shoulder and skew wide. That was a decent chance for another important goal from Godin.

Uruguay have another chance to put a ball into the area through Gaston Ramirez's free kick from, but Ospina comes out well to relieve the pressure on his defence. The Colombian keeper has been very solid between the sticks tonight.

There will be a minimum of three added minutes at the end of this match. Colombia are that close to reaching the last eight of the World Cup for the first time in their history.

Colombia are taking their time at every available opportunity now, and who can blame them? It would be a massive achievement for them to reach the quarters now, and they are not going to take any risks in these final minutes.

Colombia celebrate the referee's final whistle as they book their place in the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time in their history. They were inspired by James Rodriguez, who scored a brace to hand them victory tonight, but it was another fine team performance from a side that are really lighting up this tournament. They will now face hosts Brazil in the last eight and they will fancy their chances of causing an upset in that game. Brazil have looked beatable in this World Cup - indeed they were the width of a crossbar away from going out to Chile earlier today - while Colombia have shown very few signs of being beaten so far. It should be a fascinating encounter in Fortaleza.

Colombia's first goal was a moment of individual magic from Rodriguez as he chested the ball down before firing a spectacular volley in off the underside of the bar from 25 yards out, giving the keeper no chance. The second goal was another good one, although this time the quality resided in the build-up play as a fine team move ended with Rodriguez tapping home Cuadrado's knockdown from close range.

Right, that is just about all we have time for this evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's match as Colombia move into the quarter-finals of the World Cup at the expense of Uruguay, who go crashing out. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction, analysis and player ratings. The live action keeps on coming tomorrow as well, so check back in for Netherlands vs. Mexico and Costa Rica vs. Greece. Until then, though, it is goodbye from me!