Costa Rica vs England
Both teams came into this game with their fates already decided. England were going home and Costa Rica would be topping the group. Without any real meaning to the game, both teams used experimental lineups which resulted in a uneventful game. England looked like they just wanted to go home. Costa Rica used a formation with 2 forwards, something they haven't done all tournament, but it didn't produce a goal. The game finished without a goal. England go home with only a single point from this disappointing World Cup campaign, and Costa Rica are still unbeaten. Costa Rica will go on to face Greece in the next round.
Italy vs Uruguay
Both teams came into the came needing a result. Italy needed a win or a tie to advance, and Uruguay needed a win. Italy came out to play for the draw against a potent Uruguayan attack force. Buffon was forced to make a few key saves to keep Italy in the game, but for the most part the Italians were able to stifle the South Americans. In the 59th minute the game began to get away from the Italians. A harsh red card was given out to veteran, Claudio Marchisio, after he put his cleat into the leg of one of the Uruguayan players (http://gfycat.com/SeveralZigzagAlbertosaurus). The game heated up in the 79th minute when Luis Suarez and Chiellini ran into each other in the box. After a small collision with the Italian, Suarez went in to bite him on the shoulder (http://gfycat.com/AlarmedCostlyHound). It is at least the 3rd time Suarez has bitten an opponent in his career. The incident went unnoticed by the referee, who can only punish a player if he sees the action take place. He only saw the 2 players rolling on the ground, so no punishment was given during the match. Just a minute later Uruguay took the lead. A corner kick was met by the head of Diego Godin, who placed it into the side netting, past Buffon. (http://gfycat.com/ImpassionedAnyCony). The goal put Uruguay into the next round where they will play Colombia. Italy will feel that they should be the ones going through, but instead they are going home after the group stage for the 2nd straight World Cup. Uruguay will most likely have to continue their tournament run without Luis Suarez, who I believe will be facing a lengthy ban for his actions in this match.
Colombia vs Japan
Colombia came into the game already qualified for the next round. Japan were last in the group and needed to win if they wanted to have any chance at progressing, but even if they won they most likely would still be going home due to the tiebreaker. The game started off well for the Colombians, in the 16th minute they won a penalty when Konno threw in a bad challenge inside the penalty area (http://gfycat.com/MeaslyPoorBison). Cuadrado stepped up to the spot and smashed it into the right side of the net (http://gfycat.com/FriendlyHoarseIridescentshark). The Japanese tied the game up in first half stoppage time with a brilliant header from Okazaki, which beat the goalie at his near post (http://gfycat.com/FriendlyHoarseIridescentshark). In the second half the Colombians put the game out of reach. In the 55th minute a quick passing move found Jackson Martinez in the box, and he finished it by shooting back across the keeper to the far post (http://gfycat.com/KindheartedPitifulJackal). With the Japanese pouring numbers forward, the Colombians were able to hit on the counter. A incisive pass to Martinez played him in on goal. His fake shot created space and he placed his left footed strike in the side netting for his second goal of the game (http://gfycat.com/ReadyGrippingIlladopsis). James Rodriguez wrapped up the game in the 90th minute with the goal of the match. His weaving run down the left side was smartly finished with a chip over the diving keeper (http://gfycat.com/GreatBlankBufeo). The win put the Colombians into the next round as the winners of Group C. They will face Uruguay in the round of 16.
Greece vs Ivory Coast
Greece came into the game needing a win to advance. The Ivory Coast needed a draw or a win to put themselves into the next round. Both teams were looking to make their first appearances in the 2nd round of the competition. In the 43rd minute a quick Greek counter attack led to the opening goal for substitute Samaris (http://gfycat.com/AchingPepperyGalapagosmockingbird). With the way the Greeks play defense it seemed like the Ivorians were never going to be able to find the equalizer. Needing a goal in order to progress the Africans went into attack mode. The Greeks challenged them to break down their defense, and in the 74th minute the Ivory Coast found the tying goal. A neat passing play found Bony in the box who finished it at the near post (http://gfycat.com/DazzlingConcernedHanumanmonkey). Before this game the Greeks had only scored 2 goals in their entire history at the World Cup. In order to win and advance they would have to double that tally. With the way they attack it didn't seem as if the Greeks had the creativity to break down the Ivorian back line. In stoppage time Greek prays were answered. Samaras was clipped on his backswing inside the penalty area, for which the ref rightfully awarded a penalty (http://www.gfycat.com/ParallelHelpfulBongo). Samaras, they man who won the penalty, stepped up to take it. The goalie guessed the right way but the shot went just over his hands and the Greeks stole the win with the last kick of the ball (http://gfycat.com/ShadyViciousGaur). In a matter of seconds the Greek fans went from despair to euphoria. The team was eliminated but with the last kick of the ball, Samaras catapulted them into 2nd place in the group and a spot in the next round. The Greeks will play Costa Rica in the round of 16.
Group C Final Standings
Group D Final Standings
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