Luis Muriel scored twice for the South Americans in the Group A match as the French seemed to fade playing at 2,600 meters (8,600 feet) in Bogota, the Colombian capital.
South Korea also looks like a force in Group A after a 2-0 victory over Mali.
In Group B, Cameroon slipped to a 1-1 draw with New Zealand, and group favorites Uruguay and Portugal drew 0-0.
Muriel scored for Colombia in the 48th to break a 1-1 deadlock after Gilles Sunu put France ahead in the 21st and James Rodriguez equalized on a penalty in the 30th. Muriel took a pass from Michael Ortega and beat several defenders, then drilled a 15-meter (yard) shot behind French keeper Jonathan Ligali.
He scored again in the 66th and Santiago Arias added the other in the 64th to delight a 40,000 sellout in Bogota.
The start of both Group A matches were pushed back an hour after driving rain drenched the field. Despite the deluge, the pitch was in remarkably good shape for both games.
Kim Kyung-jung and Jang Hyun-soo lifted South Korea to it 2-0 victory over Mali. Kim scored in the 50th and Jang converted a penalty in the 80th.
The South Koreans opened the scoring after Rim Chang-woo’s long throw-in bounced loose for Kim to poke home in the 50th minute.
Jang converted an 80th-minute penalty after Mali’s Mohamed Traore pulled down Baek Sung-dong in the area.
Kim was probably the best attacking player on the field, with the South Koreans also defending well and looking organized despite the difficult playing conditions.
In Group B, Cameroon probably gave away a victory.
Christ Mbondi gave the Africans the lead in the 34th minute, bundling home the rebound after his penalty attempt was saved. But New Zealand pulled even in the 40th through an own-goal by Serge Tchaha.
Cameroon dominated the contest with 7 shots on target to only 1 for New Zealand and had 61 percent of the possession.
The draw may hurt less since Uruguay and Portugal could only manage a draw also. Portugal finished with 10 men after midfielder Sergio Oliveira was sent off in the 80th for his second yellow card. Uruguay managed only 3 shots on goal in the match, while Portugal had only 1 in a dour match.
The final eight teams get into action on Sunday.
In Group D, Croatia faces Saudi Arabia and Nigeria plays Guatemala.
In Group C, Australia goes against Ecuador and Spain — one of the favorites along with six-time champion Argentina — plays Costa Rica.
