The completion of Group D was not without drama but the fact was, two of three nations that were high in the FIFA rankings before the competition were about to board a plane home.
England 0-0 Costa Rica
- Mineirao, Belo Horizonte – Attendence 57,823
- Referee – Djamel Haimoudi
- Bookings – Gonzalez, Barkley, Lallana
A real ‘dead rubber’ game as the pundits called it.
England were on their way home while Costa Rica were on their way through to the second round. You have to hand it to the Costa Ricans. Nobody gave them a chance of escaping this group especially with two of their better players missing.
This was the game it was expected to be as most fans would freely admit to watching the other group game being played at the same time.
There were glimpses from both teams. At stages of the game Costa Rica showed exactly how they have qualified as group winners while at other times you had to wonder how they did. Same can be said of England, fleeting glimpses of the attacking flair that gave the defeat to Italy in the first game a rosier feel.
Everton midfielder Ross Barkley looked at home in the England midfield even if the excitement of youth called some to question his decision making at vital points. But a real talent for England to look forward to along with the linkes of Lallana, Shaw and Sterling who all featured.
The majority of chances fell to Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge who squandered them all but at least he is getting into those positions. Always looking lively up front.
It was a game that had a air of expectablility about it and so it finished without a goal and England heading home without as much as a whimper. But they are in very good company.
Italy 0-1 Uruguay
- Arena das Dunas, Natal – Attendence 39,706
- Referee – Marco Rodriquez
- Goals – Godin (81)
- Bookings – De Sciglio, Balotelli, Muslera, Arevalo Rios
- Sending off – Marchisio
Where to start with this one. The football, which there was a distinct lack of.
A desparate game of two teams fighting to qualify for the next stage. But the writing was on the wall as soon as Italy’s Marchision saw red for a studs up challenge on Uruguay’s Arevalo in the middle of pitch after over running the ball.
There were chances in this game though for both sides with Uruguay getting the better of them but Cavani and Suarez missed those that came their way.
It was a heated affair with personnel from both benches clashing throughout the game. Then the controvesy arrived. In truth, it is never far away where Luis Suarez is concerned. Only days ago he was claiming that he is being driven out of the Premier League.
In the Italy penalty area the ball had gone and what looked to be a scuffle had broken out and both Chiellini and Suarez were on the ground. On closer review, Suarez appeared to headbut his opponent. Another look was simply damning, Suarez had bitten the Italian defender on the shoulder sending them both crashing to the floor. Suarez holding his teeth, Chiellini showing everyone the bite marks on his shoulder.
He had only gone and done it again. For a third time. The referee took no action but FIFA will have to. They have since charged Suarez for biting his opponent. The Liverpool striker is undoubtably talented but he has real problems, nd so do Uruguay and Liverpool.
Only minutes later, Uruguay took the lead with a header from their captain Godin. You could argue that he should have missed this game as he was lucky to escape a second yellow card in the England game. But this game was much more than that. A true injustice of a team containing one of the most vile characters currently plying his trade in the game.
It will rumble on for months now, even after FIFA have decided what punishment to hand out. But the fact remains, Uruguay make it through to the second round and Italy join England on the plane home back to Europe.
Looking Ahead
The minnows of the group, or expected minnows come to that, secure a second round place as winners. As reward for beating both Italy and Uruguay followed up with a draw against England, they face Greece on Sunday. A game in which both teams will consider a real opportunity to get to the quarter finals.
As for the runners up in the group, Uruguay will take on winners of Group C Colombia in a section of the draw that features all South American teams. It is extremely likely that Uruguay will be without their star biter, sorry, I mean striker, Luis Suarez for the rest of tournament if FIFA act as they are expected to.
Final Group Standings
| Position | Team | Played | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Costa Rica | 3 | 3 | 7 |
| 2 | Uruguay | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 3 | Italy | 3 | -1 | 3 |
| 4 | England | 3 | -2 | 1 |
