Colombia goalie Faryd Mondragon has broken the record for the oldest player to participate in a World Cup when he substituted in the game with Japan on Tuesday.

The 43-year-old goalkeeper entered as a late substitute for David Espina in the 85^th minute of the game with his team holding the advantage with a score of 3-1. Mondragon broke the record achieved by Cameroon striker Roger Milla, who played at age 42 in the 1994 World Cup held in the US, according to Yahoo! News.

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Mondragon expressed his gratitude to his colleagues and his joy at being able to participate in the World Cup at his age. He was met with an ovation by the pro-Colombian spectators and jogged out holding the match ball, which he said he was keeping for his "own private museum."

The record-breaking goalie had managed to produce one fine save to maintain their score at 4-1. Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said Mondragon has been very important to them because they could always rely on him to protect their goal. For this reason, they gave him the chance to play for a few minutes so he can achieve the record as the oldest World Cup player.

The goalkeeper, in turn, praised Pekerman for convincing him to go on playing. He explained that if not for his international manager, he would have retired a couple of years ago.

Mondragon is the only player left from Colombia's previous World Cup appearance in 1998. Back then, he was the country's number one choice for a goalie.

Daily Mail said this was Mondragon's sixth World Cup since he began as Oscar Cordoba's understudy prior to the 1994 tournament.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter praised Mondragon for the new record he now holds. In a post on Twitter, Blatter congratulated the Colombian goalie for breaking the record and ended by saying, "Age is not a limit!"

Mondragon, who had just celebrated his birthday on Saturday, said this was his "best birthday ever."

TagsOldest World Cup player, Faryd Mondragon, World Cup 2014, Columbia