Uruguay shocked four-times champion, Italy , eliminating the Azzurri in the first round for the second consecutive World Cup. Costa Rica — the surprise of Brazil — qualifies in first place and could face Ivory Coast, the current number two team in Group C.
Uruguay won their match against Italy 1-0, upsetting the Europeans, who were looking to have a better performance than their disappointing one in South Africa in 2010, where they were also eliminated in the first round. But the Italians looked tired and unmotivated as they fought to stay alive at Estádio das Dunas in Natal on Tuesday.
Along with Spain’s elimination, Group D has provided the biggest shocker of the 2014 World Cup. Not many thought Costa Rica would have much of a chance to advance. After all, they were up against three former World Cup champions.
But the Central Americans had other ideas and showed that they have progressed a great deal in the world football arena. Costa Rica was not intimidated by the records of their rivals, and raised their level of play to match Italy, England, and Uruguay.
Costa Rica shocked Uruguay in the Group D opener and put the former champ at the bottom of the pack. They later repeated the same performance with Italy and England.
The good news for Costa Rica is that they will likely face a much weaker team in the round of 16. The winner of Group D will play the number two team of Group C, where Colombia holds the top position. It is not yet clear who moves to qualify, but Ivory Coast is currently in second place.
As expected, the Italy vs. Uruguay match was hard fought, with both squads wanting to defend their title of former champions and Italy — as always — trying to catch up to Brazil’s five World Cup championships. The weather cooperated, as conditions were not as awful as everyone predicted.
It was hard going for the Italians, who had to play with 10-men after Claudio Marchisio was shown the red card in the 59th minute, after an necessary kick against Egidio Arevalo Rios. The referee had to fend off a furious Gianluigi Buffon, who pointed his finger in his face arguing the ejection.
After that, it was all uphill for Italy, and Uruguay took full advantage of the unevenness on the field. In the 81st minute, Diego Godin capitalized with a spectacular header to defeat Buffon, who was playing his last World Cup match.
Group D standings finish with Costa Rica and Uruguay advancing and Italy, along with England going home. Uruguay will face fellow South Americans Colombia in the round of 16.
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