World Cup 2014 – Group D Update

We take a look at the start of Group D which before a ball was even kicked was considered a very tough group for all involved. The first two games proved the point which our writer Daniel Crame covers.

Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica

• Estadio Castalao, Fortaleza – Attendence 58,679
• Referee – Dr Felix Brych
• Uruguay goals – Cavani (24 pen)
• Costa Rica goals – Campbell (54), Duarte (57), Urena (84)
• Bookings – Caceres, Gargano, Lugano,
• Sending off – Maxi Pereira

Watching both opening Group D games proved that it could be the tightest in the entire tournament.

The opener between Uruguay and Costa Rica was one where most people, including the Uruguay coach, believed to be an easy win for the South Americans. Without talisman striker Luis Suarez following his knee surgery, we could not have been more wrong.

Just before the half hour mark Uruguay were gifted a penalty after a foul on Uruguay captain Diego Lugano. This seemed to settle them down into their style of play after Edison Cavani scored the penalty.

Costa Rica looked dangerous on the break and looked likely to equalise on the counter. The Costa Ricaan goalkeeper, Navas, was pressured into making an outstanding save before half time which left the match level at the break. They had several chances themselves to bring the game level but just could not find the target.

The Uruguay defence in the second half appeared to panic when Costa Rica hit them on the break through Joel Campbell and Duarte. So much so that Diego Lugano was booked on early in the half for a cynical challenge on Campbell and putting a stop to some great link up play.

It was the dangerous Arsenal youngster Joel Campbell that levelled for Costa Rica. He scored against Manchester United in the Champions League this past season for his loan club Olympiakos. He met a great cross and fired the ball home past Muslera. This gave the Costa Ricans much needed confidence and it made Uruguay panic.

 

Not long after Campbell’s goal came, there was another from Duate after a fantastic header at the far post putting Costa Rica in front. They picked up the pace a great deal more much to the surprise of Uruguay who were now becoming restless. Wasteful challenges meant their players were getting booked for things that did not need to happen.

Costa Rica made the most of Uruguay’s frustration and after a sublime through ball by Joel Campbell, Urena scored their third leaving no way back for Uruguay. To top it all off, Maxi Pereira received a straight red after a dirty tackle on Joel Campbell in stoppage time.

Man of the match had to be the oustanding Costa Rica striker Joel Campbell following his beautiful link up play over the entire ninety minutes and for his composure on the ball. The forward may well be the striker Arsenal need next season without even having to spend.

A lot of disappointment in the Uruguay performance particlularly PSG player Cavani. The penalty apart, he seemed to lack confidence and let the ball go a fair amount. I was expecting him to shine due to the absence of Luis Suarez but he showed signs of tiredness the more the game developed.

England 1-2 Italy

•  Arena Amazonia, Manous – Attendence 39,800
• Referee – Bjorn Kuipers
• Italy goals – Marchisio (35), Balotelli (50)
• England goal – Sturridge (37)
• Bookings – Sterling

England kicked off their World Cup campaign against against Italy and the game started off with quick paced counter attacks.

The opening effort for England was from Raheem Sterling having a crack in the fourth minute and what looked like a goal to many fans was actually the outside of the net.

Most of the play was mainly held in the centre of the pitch and Italy having most of the possession. Left back Leighton Baines had major problems when the Italians continued to switch the play during the course of the match and was left exposed too often.

The opening goal was from a corner. An clever dummy from Pirlo allowed Marchisio to drill the ball into the net through a crowd of players. The Italian midfielder was given yards of space as no England players would close him down. Joe Hart had no chance to save the shot as his vision was obscured.

After the Italians well worked goal from the corner, England were not to be written off just yet. Again it was Raheem Sterling linking up England’s play straight after the whistle whose through ball to Rooney who crossed for Daniel Sturridge to put the ball past Sirigu to equalise. The perfect response.

It was clear that England’s back line needed some tweaking as every time the Italians switched the play Leighton Baines found himself ournumbered. The match went into half time level and was a fair reflection on both sides performances.

In what turned out to be the winner, the second goal for Italy arrived soon after the half time interval. A fantastic cross  beat Baines out wide and landed right on to the head of Mario Balotelli who only had to nod his head for it to hit the back of the net. His marker Cahill was left literally eating the grass.

 

With Costa Rica and Uruguay still to play perhaps a change of formation would best suit England as the full backs need more support. Captain Gerrard did not have the best game and should have dropped back a little more to support Cahill and Jagielka. Rooney was also lost in the role he played and maybe he is being accomodated too much at the moment when the number ten position may entitle him to more chances.

The exciting Ross Barkley replaced Danny Welbeck on the hour and had an effort almost straight away. The impressive Welbeck had worked hadr during his playing time. Overall Leighton Baines had a poor game but his free-kick with quarter of an hour to go did trouble the Italian keeper forcing him into save. United’s Rooney unfortunately summed up his game late on when he delivered an awful corner straight out of touch.

If Rooney has many more performances like this one then there is an arguement that Barkley or Lallana should start ahead of him. The later did see some action after replacing an injured Sturridge.

One of the best free kick attempts I had seen came from the game’s last effort by Andreas Pirlo. A hastily arranged England wall made little impact on the decision by Pirlo to swerve the ball onto the bar.

Andrea Pirlo had a man of the match by the way ran the match for the Italians at almost walking pace. His dummy ahead of the first goal was beautiful and set up the entire game for Italy.

Looking Ahead

Both games next in the group are all to play for.

Whoever wins the Italy v Costa Rica game will effectively seal their place in the second round. The England v Uruguay game is massive for both sides as a loss will almost certainly send either home.

In my opinion, Italy should go on to beat Costa Rica and secure their place in the last 16. I can also see England beating Uruguay due to the space the South American side hand their opponents meaning the likes of Sterling, Sturridge and Welbeck can run at them.

As It Stands