Ivory Coast 2-1 Japan - World Cup 2014 MATCH REPORT: Gervinho and Wilfried Bony help African side come from behind to claim victory

It took some inspiration from a second half Didier Drogba substitution, but Ivory Coast have come from behind to win 2-1 and join Colombia on top of the pile in Group C.

For Japan, an alarming second half slump means they throw away what would have been in impressive opening day win, and it leaves them bottom of the group along with Greece. That's it from me here - thanks for following and cheerio.

90+3min: Zaccheroni demands his team go for the long ball and it's led to Ivory Coast dropping deep and playing on the counter attack.

Given Japan's lack of aerial options, I'm not quite sure how the long ball can aid them but Ivory Coast look very comfortable.

90min: There will be four added minutes.

89min: Just a minute to go and again it's the Japan keeper doing all the work as Kalou's effort from a very tight angle is tipped over by the stopper.

86min: Close from Drogba! Controlling a squared pass on the edge of the box, you would back him to bury a finish into a corner all day long, but the former Chelsea striker's effort takes a slight deflection before flying wide.

Japan make a final change as Kagawa is replaced by Yoichiro Kakitani.

83min: Kawashima was at fault for Ivory Coast's second goal, but he makes a smart stop here as he beats away Drogba's free-kick across goal.

The keeper certainly wasn't as easily caught out as Joe Hart was from Pirlo's crossbar rattling effort earlier today.

80min: Ten minutes left and if anything Ivory Coast will grab a third goal. Japan haven't tested Barry in the Ivory Coast goal since falling behind.

77min: Final change for the leaders then as Konan Ya comes on for Bony.

73min: Boka's day is indeed done as he is replaced by Constant Djakpa.

70min: It's not all going Ivory Coast's way though, as Arthur Boka has limped off and looks like he will not be able to continue.

Japan for the record haven't quite recovered from that quickfire double.

67min: Yoshito Okubo replaces Yuya Osako for Japan who after looking so comfortable for so long, now trail after a mad 90 seconds.

66min: Well it's like a carbon copy of the first goal! Aurier again crosses from the right towards the near post, and although Gervinho's header is a decent one down into the bottom corner, Kawashima should really have saved it. What a turnaround and that's before Drogba's even had a really effective touch!

64min: Drogba's introduction has proven enough to make Japan crumble, as Serge Aurier cross superbly finds the head of Wilfried Bony who nods home across goal.

64min: Masato Morishige is booked for Japan after a foul and they now have both central defenders booked.

62min: Huge cheers from the African fans as Drogba comes on for Serey Die - and now Japan have a whole new attacking force to deal with.

They've coped just about so far, but Drogba's expereince can only boost this misfiring Ivory Coast attack.

61min: As Kalou plays to the script by firing wide from 25 yards, there are huge roars from the crowd as Dider Drogba gets ready to come on.

58min: Big talking point! Yaya Toure uses a  burst of acceleration and power to muscle his way into the Japan box, before he goes to ground under a slide challenge which looked to put him off more than actually touch him.

Former Tottenham midfielder Didier Zokora thinks it's a penalty and is booked for his over zealous protest.

55min: First booking for Ivory Coast as Souleymane Bamba sees yellow for a rather clumsy trip on Okazaki.

53min: Slightly earlier than I was expecting but here's our first change as Japan replace skipper Hasebe with Yasuhito Endo. The Japan captain has been carrying a knock.

50min: We haven't seen too much from Japan in terms of shots on goal...and I'm starting to understand why.

Makoto Hasebe sees an opening to goal on the edge of the box, but can only drag wide of the near post.

48min: Brilliant play from Ivory Coast but once again they waste an excellent chance to score.

And no, it's not Kalou missing again, but Bony. Gervinho and Yaya Toure link up before the Swansea striker clumsily heads wide a cross.

It's been a decent first half in Recife. Japan have been organised, and in Honda have an attacking outlet who can not only create, but judging by his finishing, score brilliant goals too.

There's enough in this for Ivory Coast to believe they can get back into it, but it starts with taking Kalou off and putting Drogba, (or just about anyone with some sort of shooting skill) to come on.

45min: There will be one added minute as Arthur Boka sees a well hit drive from an acute angle comfortably saved by Eiji Kawashima.

42min: Now I can see exactly why Chelsea got rid of Kalou. The Ivory Coast striker is unmarked as a near post cross finds the striker but he somehow not only heads wide, but heads wide in the totally wrong direction.

36min: Nearly goal of the tournament from Honda who has been Japan's best player. The AC Milan midfielder bulldozes his way through the centre but hid shot from 20 yards deflects over the bar.

33min: Ivory Coast have won a few set-pieces now, but their deliveries have been so poor so far. Japan have found it very easy to clear Kalou's corners, as Zaccheroni's team survive again when Bony is flagged offside.

30min: The pressure from the African side continues as they win a free-kick 25 yards out.

Not a good thing to concede form a Japan point of view, especially with Yaya Toure standing over it, but the Manchester City's top corner aimed effort just clears the crossbar.

27min: This game has really come to life since the goal and Ivory Coast are pressing for an equaliser. Salomon Kalou fires off target from the edge of the box, reminding Chelsea fans of something they don't miss from the former Stamford Bridge striker.

24min: First booking of the night as Southampton defender Maya Yoshida brings down Serey with a blatant trip on the edge of the box.

22min: Japan have totally taken control of this and should be 2-0 ahead as Atsuto Uchida turns well inside the box only to fire straight at Barry Copa from a tight angle.

19min: That goal was met by Drogba putting his hand to his face, and the African side are starting to lose their discipline as Serey Die is late on Honda with a tackle. He is lucky to escape a booking there.

16min: That's how you light up a game! Keisuke Honda controls the ball from inside the box, before blasting an absolute rocket into the near post top corner.

A brilliant strike and EXACTLY what Rooney should have done earlier in the morning/night for England.

12min: So with absolutely nothing going on playing wise, it's no surprise to see masses of fans appearing to walk up the stairs and away from this game.

It's not the performance turning them away though, it's the huge downpour of rain which has led many to search for shelter.

9min: There are shades of the Italy vs England match from earlier here. Japan have tamed that early blast from Ivory Coast as they take a few touches in the midfield to retain the ball, but there is no cutting edge from Alberto Zaccheroni's team so far.

6min: Who needs Drogba? Ivory Coast are really taking the game to Japan. From a counter attack, Gervinho slips in Wilfried Bony inside the box, but the Swansea striker sees his first time shot deflected behind.

3min: An encouraging start from both teams, with Japan defending well to clear a far post cross out for a corner through Shinji Okazaki heading behind.

Remember to get the most out of our live coverage by following all the action with our excellent Match Zone service.

It features the latest line-ups, formations, match stats and a player comparison tool.

In addition there are heat maps for EVERY player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Check it out on the above link.

The anthems have been observed, and without sounding too disrespectful, I really think Japan need to add a bit of tempo, kick or maybe even some bass to theirs. It really is quite low key.

On a more positive note, I'm looking forward to seeing how the team from the Far East play - they can be exciting to watch.

None other than Manchester United's Shinji Kagawa features for Japan and he has impressed in the warm up matches, scoring for the Japanese in a 4-3 win over Zambia.

He was quite active in the game as you can see from his heat map from the friendly victory.

Click here for more maps and stats with our Match Zone

Good news for those of you who like goals.

From the wonderful, to the bizarre to just plain wacky...

Ivory Coast: Barry, Aurier, Bamba, Zokora, Boka, Tiote, Yaya Toure, Die, Gervinho, Bony, Kalou.
Subs: Gbohouo, Viera, Kolo Toure, Bolly, Akpa Akpro, Drogba, Konan, Diomande, Gradel, Djakpa, Sio, Sayouba.

Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Morishige, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa, Osako.
Subs: Nishikawa, Gotoku Sakai, Endo, Kiyotake, Kakitani, Okubo, Aoyama, Konno, Inoha, Saito, Hiroki Sakai, Gonda.

Referee: Enrique Osses (Chile)

...in fact they are awful. Rain is falling at the Arena Pernambuco as fans take shelter in the stands while the players go through their warm ups.

...yes, there is indeed no place for veteran striker Dider Drogba in the starting line-up! The 36-year-old was thought to be fit after limping out of training mid-week, but he is left out of the side.

Ivory Coast: Barry, Boka, Zokora, Kalou, Tiote, Gervinho, Bony, Aurier, Toure Y, Serey, Bamba

Japan: Kawashima, Uchida, Honda, Nagatomo, Morishige, Okazaki, Kagawa, Yamaguchi, Hasebe, Osako, Yoshida

So it's 2am in the morning, England have just lost and you just want to put an end to the day and go to bed...just one problem.

Another World Cup game is kicking off at that time! You can't go to bed now, the World Cup only comes round once every four years, make the most of it!

Ladies and gentleman I present to you live coverage of Ivory Coast vs Japan - a game you will surely regret not following if it turns out to be a cracker.