Here is a recap of Day 13 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
COSTA RICA 0 ENGLAND 0
Costa Rica locked down a place in the round of 16 for the second time in the nation’s history with a scoreless draw against England that helped Los Ticos emerge as Group D winners. The draw means Costa Rica topped a group for the first time in their nation’s history. In a predominantly defensive contest, Daniel Sturridge managed several dangerous attempts for the English, but his final touch eluded him. In the 23rd minute, Celso Borges gave the Ticos their best opportunity off a set piece, but his attempt was pushed over the bar by England goalkeeper Ben Foster.
URUGUAY 1 ITALY 0
Uruguay went through to the round of 16 with a 1-0 victory over Italy, but it is Luis Suarez’s apparent bite of Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder will draw the headlines internationally. The match livened up in the 59th minute when Italian midfielder Claudio Marchisio was sent off for a hard challenge on Egidio Arevalo Rios. Controversy truly broke out in the 79th minute when it appeared that Suarez bit Chiellini on the shoulder. Two minutes later, a Diego Godin header off a corner kick gave La Celeste the win as the Italians were unable to recover from the madness of moments earlier. Immediately after the defeat, Italy manager Cesare Prandelli issued his resignation.
GREECE 2 IVORY COAST 1
Greece reached the final 16 in dramatic fashion after Georgios Samaras tallied a penalty kick winner in the third minute of stoppage time. The penalty came when Giovanni Sio appeared to bring down Samaras in the penalty area setting up the eventual game-winner. Samaras’ dramatics broke the hearts of Ivory Coast who were on the verge of reaching the knockout stage after Wilfried Bony’s goal canceled out Andreas Samarias’ first-half opener. Greece will take on Costa Rica on Sunday in Recife.
COLOMBIA 4 JAPAN 1
Colombia turned on the heat late in the second half to seal Group C with a 4-1 victory over Japan. Jackson Martinez notched a brace while Juan Cuadrado and James Rodriguez completed the scoring for Los Cafeteros. Shinji Okazaki scored the lone goal for Japan who ended the tournament at the bottom of Group C. Colombia’s perfect record allows them to join Brazil and Argentina as South American teams who have won all three of their group stage matches. Los Cafeteros will take on Uruguay on Saturday at the Estadio Maracana.
Day 14 at the World Cup features four matches with dreams of the Round of 16 on the line. At 9:00 a.m., Group F leaders Argentina face Nigeria while eliminated Bosnia and Herzegovina takes on Iran. At 1:00 p.m. PT, Group E action ends as Honduras look to keep their World Cup hopes alive against Switzerland while group leaders France look for their third straight win against Ecuador.
Adam Serrano is the LA Galaxy Insider. Read his blog at LAGalaxy.com/Insider and contact him at LAGalaxyInsider@Gmail.com.
