World Cup 2014 Report: Samaras the hero for last-gasp Greece

Sam slots home: Greece reach the Last 16 for the first time

An incredible climax to Group C, as Greece seal progress to the Last 16 with a 92nd minute penalty. Adam Shearwood looks back at a night of high-drama on the Betfair Exchange...

Two games of end-to-end football meant Group C signed off in style, but not before causing some big-priced winners and short-priced losers on the Betfair markets.

Before Giorgios Samaras stepped up to bury the penalty that took his nation to the World Cup knockout phases for the first time in their history, Greece were trading at 12.011/1 to qualify, with Ivory Coast available at just 1.091/11.

Now, Greece are about 2.111/10 to reach the quarter finals having earned themselves an eminently winnable match against Costa Rica in the Last 16.

And earn it they did. It was again a performance based on defensive discipline by Greece, however they showed a great desire to strike on the counter at every opportunity. If it weren't for some profligate finishing - and the width of the Ivory Coast woodwork - Greece would have scored more.

Greece should now fancy their chances against a Costa Rica side who looked against England as though they may be feeling the effects of the phenomenal high-pressure performances that won them Group D.

The other game tonight was almost as thrilling, as Colombia successfully punctuated concerted Japanese pressure with devastating counter-attacks that are becoming their trademark. Jackson Martinez showed the goalscoring ruthlessness that helped him tear up the Portuguese league last season by notching two of Colombia's goals - he was matched at 13.5n/a to score two or more.

Two of Colombia's other star men also continued their superb goalscoring form. Juan Cuadrado scored the first goal of the game from the spot - he was backable at odds of 14.5n/a to do so pre-match. While James Rodriguez moved to three goals for the tournament with a beautiful solo effort - he moves to 24.023/1 for the Golden Boot.

Colombia are in a point to 25.024/1 for 2014 Winner.

Betfair customers have been quick to install Colombia as 2.47/5 favourites to beat Uruguay in their Last 16 clash. Greece are currently backable as 2.89/5 outsiders versus Costa Rica for their clash.