Colombia vs Greece
After just 5 minutes Colombia opened their account, with a goal from fullback Pablo Armero (http://gfycat.com/InfantileLivelyDungbeetle). Luck was on the Colombians side, as his initial shot took a deflection, and trickled in past the Greek goalkeeper. It was a dream start for the South American side, especially against a team like Greece. It was always going to be hard for the Greeks to get more than 1 goal in this game; Going down 1-0 after just 5 min, made their uphill battle so much steeper. The Greeks were able to prevent any further damage heading into the halftime break, but were unable to find an equalizer. After the restart, it only took Colombia 10 minutes to double their lead. In the 58th minute, Aguilar flicked a James Rodriguez corner on, towards the back post, where Gutierrez was open for a simple tap in (http://gfycat.com/ValidIncompleteAfricanmolesnake). From that point on, the game was effectively over. The Colombians were more decisive in attack, while the Greeks played slowly out of the midfield. In the 93rd minute, James Rodriguez finished off a wonderful passage of play, which put the exclamation point on the victory (http://gfycat.com/IlliterateWholeCaimanlizard). Greece didn't play poorly in this match, they were able to create some really good offensive moves, but they were few and far between. The most notable being a header from Gekas that came back off the crossbar. The Greeks were just overmatched. They can still advance, but they'll need results from their next two games against Ivory Coast and Japan.
Uruguay vs Costa Rica
Uruguay were without star forward, Luis Suarez, due to lack of fitness, following knee surgery he had just 24 days ago. Even without their best player, if Uruguay played like they did in South Africa 4 years ago, where they placed 4th, this game against Costa Rica, the 28th ranked team in the world) should have been fairly straightforward. I predicted a Uruguayan rout. I could not have been more wrong. Costa Rica looked the stronger team from the get go. Uruguay struggled to create clear cut chances, but were given a break in the 24th minute, when Diego Lugano was pulled down in the penalty area, following a free kick (http://www.gfycat.com/ThornyPresentCrossbill). Edison Cavani stepped up to the spot and hit a perfect strike, to the bottom right corner (http://www.gfycat.com/ForkedEqualGuppy). Although Uruguay had struggled to create offensive chances, their defense seemed capable of protecting the lead heading into the halftime break. The second half was a completely different story than the first. Costa Rica came out, playing with confidence and swagger. They didn't sit back and let Uruguay come at them. The Costa Ricans brought the fight to Uruguay, and the South Americans didn't have any answers. In the 54th minute, a quick give-and-go down the right side led to a stunning strike from Costa Rica's star man, Joel Campbell. The cross from the right fell kindly for Campbell, who made no mistake and smashed the ball back across the keeper, and into the back of the net (http://www.gfycat.com/FreshInnocentKiwi). I thought the goal would be a wake-up call for the Uruguayans, who had been playing like they were half asleep the whole game. It didn't happen, if anything Costa Rica began to completely dominate the field. 2 minutes after Campbell's goal, Costa Rica added a second. A free kick played to the back post, was wonderfully turned in by Duarte (http://gfycat.com/CourteousSphericalAfricanfisheagle). The back to back goals put Costa Rica in line for their most famous win in their country's history. Still, the Uruguayans failed to respond. Instead, Costa Rica added a third. In the 84th minute, a surgical pass from Campbell played Urena in on goal, and he finished it cooly, sliding it past Muslera, and sending the Costa Rican bench into a frenzy (http://gfycat.com/DismalHappyBarb). I give all of the credit in the world to Costa Rica. I didn't give them a chance, and they came out and bossed the game right from the get go. Having said that, Uruguay put in the worst performance I have seen so far this tournament. The entire team seemed disinterested. Their defensive organization left much to be desired, and there was little movement from their forwards. They lacked that spark that Luis Suarez brings to the table, but his injury is no excuse. Uruguay, the #7 team in the world, should never be outclassed by a team like Costa Rica. If they don't change their play drastically, they are going home early. Even if they improve, they probably will need to beat both England and Italy to advance. A tall order for any team. Costa Rica will be celebrating this win for a long time. Despite blowing Uruguay off the field today, they still need to get points out of at least 1 of their last 2 games in order to advance.
Italy vs England
The day's marquee match-up was the first competitive meeting, between the two sides, since the European Championship quarterfinals in 2012, in which Italy defeated the English in a shootout. The big news heading into the game, was that Gianluigi Buffon, the Italians legendary goalkeeper, would miss the game due to an ankle injury. Although they lost their captain, the Italian game plan was unchanged, they set out to play like they always do, defend and counter. England looked to play quick, attacking football. Sterling went close with a long range effort just minutes into the game. More shots were fired on fill-in goalie, Sirigu's net, but he dealt with them well. Italy began to dominate the game after England's initial surge. In the 35th minute Italy opened the scoring. A short corner was played to Pirlo on top of the box. He had the presence of mind to let the ball run through his legs, to an unmarked Marchisio at the top of the box. Marchisio took his chance well and dispatched the ball into the left side of Joe Hart's goal (http://gfycat.com/HeavenlyNervousBison). It didn't take long for England to respond. Just 2 minutes later a brilliant cross, by Wayne Rooney, set up Sturridge with a tap in on the far post (http://gfycat.com/EmotionalEdibleCatfish). It was a bright spot for Rooney who played poorly for a majority of the game. Italy nearly added a second when Balotelli chipped Hart in first half stoppage time. If not for a last second clearance from Jagielka, Balotelli would have scored his first ever World Cup goal (http://gfycat.com/IndelibleDeadlyBagworm). A 1-1 scoreline at halftime seemed fair to both sides. Italy didn't take long to break the deadlock once the second half began. Just five minutes in, a beautiful back post cross found Balotelli who nodded it home (http://gfycat.com/PlushThoroughAsianlion). For the rest of the game England slowly fell apart. At some points it seemed like they forgot how to play football. This "corner kick" from Wayne Rooney sums up the game for England, it never comes close to the field, ending up in the stands behind the goal (http://www.gfycat.com/ForthrightLongBlueshark). Like I said in the pre-game, England lack the intangibles necessary to succeed on the big stage. They don't seem to have the chemistry that other sides do. This English team is equal to far less than the sum of its parts. Despite their loss, England can still progress with wins over upset minded, Costa Rica, and lack luster Uruguay.
Ivory Coast vs Japan
The other match in Group C between Ivory Coast and Japan would be huge for determining who will be coming out of the group stage. Along with Greece, these two teams will most likely be battling it out for the #2 spot in Group C. Ivory Coast took charge of the game from the start. The Ivorians were strong on the ball and powerful in the air, the Japanese were no match physically. The constant pressure from the Africans failed to pay dividends. Instead, Japan struck first. Honda found space in the box, received the pass from the left, and blasted the ball past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/PaltryDependentJunebug). The first half concluded with no more goals, but the Ivory Coast seemed like they had a goal in them. In the 65th minute Wilfried Bony equalized for the Africans. Taking advantage of the height difference, he rose above the Japanese defense and flicked his header past the keeper (http://gfycat.com/FlippantQuarrelsomeAsianwaterbuffalo). 2 minutes later, Gervinho scored with a carbon copy of the previous goal (http://gfycat.com/IllinformedSplendidGoldenretriever). The Ivory Coast took a big step toward qualification for the next round, but Group C is one of the most open in the tournament.
Group C Standings
Group D Standings
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