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Drogba come off bench to inspire Ivory Coast to 2-1 win over Japan

Associated Press
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Ivory Coast's Wilfried Bony, (12), scores his side's first goal during the group C World Cup soccer match between Ivory Coast and Japan at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) (The Associated Press)

Japan's Keisuke Honda (4) scores his side's first goal ahead of Ivory Coast's Salomon Kalou (8) during their group C World Cup soccer match at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (The Associated Press)

Ivory Coast's Wilfried Bony, (12), scores his side's first goal during the group C World Cup soccer match between Ivory Coast and Japan at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Saturday, June 14, 2014. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama) (The Associated Press)

Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.

Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0.

The talismanic striker's arrival immediately lifted the Ivory Coast team and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier.

Coach Sabri Lamouchi's inspired substitution negated Keisuke Honda's first half goal that had given Japan the lead in a group that also includes Colombia and Greece. Colombia beat Greece 3-0 earlier on Saturday.