Daily Recap World Cup 2014 6/24, Uruguay’s ‘bite-gate’ overshadows win over Italy

With a lot of controversy and main focus on today’s soccer news surround Uruguay’s Luis Suárez bite on an Italian defender, Uruguay go on to the Round of 16 knocking out four-time champion Italy, and Costa Rica draw against England topping Group D. Luis Suárez Columbia stays perfect against a winless Japan topping Group C, and in a do-or-die match, Greece move on to the next round with a stoppage-time goal against Ivory Coast.

Group D: Italy v Uruguay, 0-1

When all is said and done, one of these European giants will be eliminated. With both fighting for their lives, with the winner moving on to the next stage, Uruguay, as the Telegraph UK noted, set the tone from the get-go. Stepping on Mario Balotelli in the opening minutes were just the start, with various other step-on tactics, but Italy didn’t go down quietly, giving the Uruguay forwards a dose as well. Either poor or strong defense, depending on who you ask, the only goal didn’t come until the 81st minute, with Uruguay’s defender Diego Godin heading it in from a cross served from a corner.

Of course, the real story, and controversy, came minutes before the goal with Uruguay’s star striker Luis Suárez
apparently biting Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Inexcusable, and hopefully FIFA will step in and ban Suárez for at least one match, considering this is the third time in his soccer history that he has taken a bite at an opponent.

Group D: Costa Rica v England, 0-0

Although England was already eliminated it was about not going out of competition without a win. Costa Rica, the underdogs of this “Group of Death”, were looking for another upset and go through the next round undefeated. The Guardian noted, England made nine changes to their line-up, and although they held off Costa Rica to 0, the Latin American’s would do the same. The game would end in a draw, 0-0, and would be England’s worst World Cup appearance in 60 years. With a single point, Costa Rica would take the top of the Group D.

Group C: Japan v Columbia, 1-4

Columbia took an early lead and seemed to be able to defend anything that Japan threw at them. Right before the half though, midfielder Okazaki was able to put one through equalizing the match as they headed into the locker room. Within the first ten minutes of the next half though, Columbia would subject Japan to an onslaught of defensive and offensive tactics they could not control, scoring 3 more before the end of the game.

Columbia secured their spot at the top of the group, and will take on Uruguay on June 28.

Group C: Greece v Côte d'Ivoire, 2-1

All is on the line with Greece taking on Ivory Coast, looking for those precious 3 points to move on. A battle would ensue with brilliant playing on either side. At the half, it looked unfortunate for Ivory Coast as the Greeks found the back of the net at the 42nd minute. Ivory Coast would finally find the back of the net at the 74th, Greece would still go through with a tie. In the final minute of stoppage time, the Greeks draw a foul in the penalty box, and unable to stop it, the Greeks move on to win 2-1, and secure their spot in the knockout round.

Greece take the number two spot in Group C and move on to play Costa Rica on June 29.

June 25, in group E, France try to end the group stage with a perfect record with a win over Ecuador, while the Swiss try to get to the next stage with a win and Ecuador loss. In group F, Argentina look to stay on top with a win over Nigeria, and Iran, similar to the Swiss, look to the round of 16 with a win over Bosnia-Herzegovina and a Nigerian loss.

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