Mario Yepes wins plaudits as Colombia roar again

Veteran defender Mario Yepes earned special praise from coach Jose Pekerman after South American dark horses Colombia cantered into the World Cup knockout round on Thursday with a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast.

“He was playing against the elite of Europe – Gervinho, Wilfried Bony, Salomon Kalou – all physically strong with great technique,” said Pekerman, referring to Ivory Coast’s European-based continent.

“Yepes has a great mentality. He has been very strong and he is a reference point for his teammates, it was a top-level performance,” said the Argentine.

Central defender Yepes, who is 38 and came onto the scene just after the 1998 World Cup, came to the rescue early in the second half after a Pablo Armero miskick let in Max Gradel.