By TIM FONTENAULT
Two more spots in the Round of 16 at the World Cup are up for grabs on Tuesday as groups C and D come to a close.
Group D begins the action on Tuesday. Costa Rica, the surprise of the group, already has a spot in the next round. With a win or draw against England, they will win the group. England, on the other hand, will have its miserable World Cup adventure come to a close on Tuesday. Losses to Italy and Uruguay have eliminated the Three Lions already, so the match against Costa Rica is merely for pride.
Italy and Uruguay will play for the other Round of 16 spot from the group. Wins over England but losses to Costa Rica have put both former champions in a tough position on Tuesday. A draw will put Italy through. Uruguay needs to win in order to advance.
In Group C, Colombia has already clinched a spot in the next round, but things can get tricky in a group where everyone is alive. If Colombia beats Japan, the scenario becomes simple, as the winner between the Ivory Coast and Greece will advance. However, Keisuke Honda and Japan are going to come at Colombia with everything they have. When Honda is at his best, he can take on anyone, which means Japan always has a chance.
Greece has looked uninspiring so far in this tournament, first getting kicked around by Colombia then playing to a miserable scoreless draw against Japan. On Tuesday they go up against an Ivory Coast team that, like Greece, is looking to reach the Round of 16 for the first time ever. The Ivory Coast has struggled to find goals early in the match, usually only becoming dangerous when Didier Drogba takes to the pitch, so that will have to change if they want to easily secure their spot in the Round of 16.
If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action (TV listings after the jump):
TODAY’S WORLD CUP SOCCER ON TV
12 p.m. — Costa Rica vs. England — ESPN2
12 p.m. — Italy vs. Uruguay — ESPN
4 p.m. — Greece vs. Ivory Coast — ESPN2
4 p.m. — Japan vs. Colombia — ESPN
These Europeans are dropping like flies. I know it’s hot down their but it’s not Qatar. Its bearable.
How can this be? Europe pretty much invented the game. I think we can all agree the fourth divisions in European club soccer are miles better than any domestic league in the America’s. The worst team in a European youth recreation league would probably beat the MLS All Stars 10-0.
that’s pretty stupid, considering the MLS all-stars have a 7-4 record in the annual all-star game. Stop hating.
The Joke.
Your head.
It was Eurosnob hyperbole. Obviously I’m not being serious. I want to see as many non UEFA teams advance as possible.
Boy this blog is full of the dullest people around, So few have a clue . Right on Tony
Does Kasey Keller really not know how to pronounce “Drogba”???
UEFA roll call:
In (3): Netherlands, France, Belgium
On the margin (5): Greece, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Russia
Going home (5): Croatia, Spain, Italy, England, Bosnia and Herzogovina
In defense of UEFA, Netherlands and France both look pretty scary. And Germany too, although hopefully they’ll be caught out and look sheepish on Thursday.
Yeah and 5 out of 6 South American teams through, with Ecuador still alive too.
Also, Germany and France meet in the QF if they both win their groups and 2nd round matches.
I’m 100000000% behind Ivory Coast
I’ll say this then duck. US 1-0 Germany coupled with Ghana 3-0 Portugal sends Ghana and Germany to drawing lots. Ghana 4-1 Portugal sends Germany home on goals scored.
Put another way, a 1-0 defeat is a potential catastrophe for either US or Germany, so absent an agreement in advance to tie, both teams have a strong incentive to push for goals not just bunker.
Suarez is the best player in the universe.
yeah, … until he opens his mouth. Hopefully he can find the right therapy and become integrated into society some day.
He’s just intense.
Suarez, and because it’s the 3rd offense, richly deserves lifetime banishment by Fifa! This psycho is a menace and a massively destructive distraction to the game! There is no place in soccer for this abusive type of behavior. There’s no defense for his actions that should merit any type of re-instatement conversation.
GK, I partially agree with a “WC” banishment. If there is one more incident in his “professional” career, than there should be a lifetime soccer banishment from FIFA. The WC is the world’s peak sports championship and this type of childish behavior makes it look foolish if he is not banished. Secondly, any type of other super dangerous “WC” behavior (like breaking a leg purposely/recklessly should also receive WC banishments).
Give me a break. Sure, he should get a ban but a lifetime ban?
I just read that the max FIFA ban is 2 years or 24 games… wonder if that’s International play or what….
I would have thought every news source would be publishing the FIFA rules within 5 minutes….
something big is coming. I could see 1 year ban easily
@ slowl.. THIRD F’N TIME! … First time.. my bad, second time no excuses, Third time.. stick a fork in this psycho, he’s done!
so…who plays uruguay next? they just became a lot easier to beat.
probably Colombia.
hope you’re both right
link to pbs.twimg.com
so a big bruise from being punched or elbowed is worse then these teeth marks?
An elbow or a punch is SFP or VC, but IFAB saw fit to explicitly include spitting at an opponent as a sending-off offense. That they differentiate it indicates to me that they take it at least and possibly more seriously than SFP or VC.
Human mouths are nasty.
If this had happened in the aids scare era…holy crap!!!!
At this point, he knows very well what the punishment is for this action, and still can’t stop himself.
lol what a dumb a$$. dude, we have slo-mo HD video!
and the whole world is watching! man, what a eff up
I can’t imagine his IQ is any higher than 80
he HAS to be mildly retarded
please don’t insult the mentally disabled, most do not bite people-he’s more on a raised by wolves level
Personally, I would prefer a little Chianti with my Chiellini
😀
HAHA
Only if Chiellini is an Italian enumerator.
Do Uruguay fans even defend Suarez anymore? What a total headcase…
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bq6eFA3IAAAoFAV.jpg
Picture of Chiellini’s shoulder. Suarez should be looking at a very long suspension, this is the third time he has bit someone. I don’t care that the first two happened in different competitions, the cumulative effect should lead to be a massive ban.
That is crazy! He looks like he broke the skin too. EEEWW!!!
What they don’t show you is that every single italian player entered the game with bite marks already in place for just this scenario. They’re a clever lot, the azzurri.
Gotta ban Suarez, permanently. This is ridiculous.
Blokhin is that the great Oleh Blokhin,
The Ukrainian, CCCP, Blokhin?.
Along with Paolo Rossi, you were one of the most memorable players of the
82WC.
Do you think they will suspend him, not sure what the precedent it?.
Maybe he should be out at least a match, other considerations, banned all together?.
the rationale would be a danger to the health of other players-do they test for rabies?
Our ref Geiger was 4th official on this match – how does he factor into this?
It’s not really his call. I doubt he’d be dinged for missing it.
The other three, OTOH…
I hope not – hes done a great job on the field.
Apparently Suarez likes Italian food
How does one say bites like a little female dog in Spanish?
I just don’t get it, why would you bite someone? It just doesn’t make sense to me. I can understand hitting someone, but biting? What the? You know he is guilty too because he was clutching his teeth afterwards.
He was clutching his teeth because the victim elbowed him in the face. He expected to get away with it. I’m sure that many opposing players would have a moment of “WTF” disbelief before reacting, but this guy had quicker reflexes. Good for the Italian guy. Shame on the ref for ignoring it, even after the guy wants to show the bite marks.
It’s on par with shoe throwing.
Three times is a sign that this man is a cannibal.
Seriously, FIFA MUST do something about that.
How many times is this guy going to bite people???????
Vacation time for Suarez. This must be a childhood thing affecting him.
some very deep psychological issues…opposing fans should bust out the Gator Chomp next time he plays
honestly why is everyone whining about someone getting bit lmao. Not like he has Aids. I would be mad but people act like he stabed him lol
yeah lets make biting people a part of the game
i never said it wasnt red card worthy but 10 games lol thats a bit melodramatic
Really????? Are you seriously taking that side of the argument?
I have said many of you are lost before but you definitely take the cake Shawn.
maybe because im not a wimp but it seems elbowing someone is more acceptable then biting some1. hey slapping a ref would give you less of a suspension
so you are saying throwing an elbow should be a worse offense than biting someone.
yeah
I agree.
Sorry dude. You’re wrong on that one. For one thing, it’s basically impossible to sheathe your elbows while running around, and avoid contact the whole game. But teeth have a normal place where they belong, nicely covered up with the pointy parts at an angle unlikely to hit other people by accident. And biting hurts a lot more than an elbow, and doesn’t improve your field position.
So are you ok with spitting? just saying….
It’s a cowardly attack, just like hitting someone from behind.
Costa Rica won a group with Uruguay, Italy and England. Wow If you had that on your betting card I commend you.
so far teams advancing: CONMEBOL-3, CONCACAF-2, UEFA-1
teams going home: Spain, Italy, England…
We should really add Germans to that list. 2002 still burns deep.
I had them on my betting card at 50 to 1 odds. It was quite a nice payout. 🙂 The USA has been a good payday so far too.
Same…but that Portugal last second miracle cost me quite a bit! Gotta love these lines set by Eurosnobs lol. Been making a killing. Still can’t believe Portugal are favorites against Ghana; then again, with that one I hope I’m wrong.
What an ugly, ugly example of the beautiful game
chomp();
CR wins Italy’s group and Italy doesn’t go through
Wow !
some ish is about to go down
Cannibal Suarez, sorry for the misspell,
every now and then my dyslexia kicks in.
Concacaf…. 12 matches played….. only 2 losses… suck on that rest of the world…
sorry, meant 10 matches…
Western hemisphere is the bestest hemishpere.
+1 (funny) (awesome) (true)
I hope this helps with the Super Cup between Conmebol and Concaf.
Why didn’t Suarez pass to the completely open man… That is greed and oddly he doesn’t normally show that much greed.(Stupid too.)
Cavani just shook his head and walked away.
Louis Suarez The Cannibal
Hannibal the cannibal is back, if proven I hope they kick him out of the tournament.
Not watching…
Did Suarez just bite somebody again? Put a Lecter-mask on that dude.
yes-would not be surprised to see the teams brawl at the final whistle
DID THAT BITE JUST HAPPEN? GET THIS PSYCHO OFF THE FIELD!
Both of these teams are so hatable. And Uruguay scores. Can Suarez be banned from the next game or is the post game discipline just an MLS thing?
i can’t believe I now have to root for Italy….Suarez made me
I think bite marks should qualify for a post-match red. If FIFA can fire the refs, they can ban a player, too. Upon a player’s recommendation, a 4-ref panel can do postgame reviews, and hand out cards for egregious (and obvious) acting, and reds for cannibalism.
Would stop the practice in short order.
Suarez proving he has psychological problems…
He wanted Italian for lunch. Tastes better than Russian.
Ivanovic is Serbian, but yes Italian is still probably better.
Ah. Thanks.
Damn! I do not want Uruguay to go through. Suarez needs to be banned.
italy is by by
Nice Call Snack time, looks like Saurez, took a nibble?.
And they get a goal.
control your vampire urges suarez
Costa Rica 10 minutes from winning the group if either of these scores stay, who would have thought that
Suarez bit him…. yeah guys…these teams are not dirty and disgusting…
Yeah, biting is a different story. If people were biting each other every game, that would be a problem for soccer. Fortunately, that problem seems to be limited to Suarez.
Disgusting by Suarez
Chiquidracula sucks the life out of Italy
Did anyone really think that England was going through ?
Man….every time…they have to be the most overvalued team in all of sports, for about forever years running.
They’ve made it to the knockout stages the past four world cups, including the QF in 2002, but I didn’t think they’d go through this time. Thought Uruguay and Italy would but was wrong about that. England should do much better – rich country where soccer is by far the #1 sport and a decent size population. They should be at the level of Italy, France, Germany or Spain but haven’t been anywhere near any of them in recent years.
I feel like England was prepared to go out Uruguay and Italy going in. However when they look up at Costa Rica it’s kind of hard for them to swallow.
I guess it just annoys me because people think they are so much better than the US…they are not.
the line you always hear is, how many US players would make it into the England side.
And he answer is ?
More than the English would like to admit.
If it was based on their ability in international games? All of them. Seriously.
Agreed
Probably a little less deep,
But that has closed, from way less
deep, so quickly.
Without a doubt:
Timmay
Dempsey
Bradley (though he’s been a mess this tourney)
Jones
Case to be made:
Fabian Johnson
Beckerman (no really, he’s been superb)
And that’s not including the youngsters we brought along who are performing admirably…
Fabian is one of our best players for me. Him pressing forward seems to be where so many of our best attacks come from.
Fabian I think is our best player
Landon obviously too
Ok I am going to supper now…..
Totally agree. Fabian has been amazing. His ability to get up the field and create 2 on 1s in the attacking third on the wings has been a huge factor in our success.
I’d say Besler as well. His stock is rising from this WC.
Wasn’t trying to put a top 16 team down, which they have proven to be.
I think the players actually overvalue each other on the field, and just have this feeling that ‘we’ll get it done, we’re England’. As a result, no one performs at a high level, and the team has no bite.
So annoying to watch two of the dirtiest footballing nations play this match…. constant play acting…shameful really.
So annoying to see endless comments about stuff you see in every soccer game everywhere.
I’m not even sure which match you are talking about
I don’t either but I’m sick of endless comments about diving or playacting or whatever. Get over it.
Italy and Uruguay have been constantly laying on the ground holding their heads and faces like they have been assaulted… It is a complete joke… Yes lots of teams do it… but this one has seen 5-6 incidents in the first half…
It still sucks that people do it to waste time at the end of the match but in the first half… it was laughable and disgusting…
AND… I am not going to get over it… It is makes the casual fan hate the game…
I am have been saying it all my life… it is the dirty side of football and it needs to start getting punished…
I am not a casual fan either…
K Navas took it.
one could argue he was fouled,
he did appear to touch the ball first.
regarding your query QwaUSs.
One never knows about England, they are such a mixed bag, even more so than France.
They did have a half decent Euro run,
but one could probably have a good debate
about just how good UEFA is?.
Water under the bridge, but it would have been
good for the US, to have some time to tinker around and rest.
So now with everything they have,
onward they must go.
excelsior!…
Luckily the casual fan has a half dozen other sports to turn to. I’ll still enjoy this ridiculous world cup even if Ted in accounting would rather check his baseball fantasy team.
But the complaints about diving/faking are as tiresome as the rants about traveling in the nba which thankfully died off.
It means you do not care about the game enough… if you are an American citizen it is a completely ignorant way to look at things… Soccer in the US needs the casual fan… NEEDS IT
Yes, we do need casual fans, like any other sport. However, my point is that diving isn’t the real problem, it’s obsessive complaining about diving.
Or what? I won’t be able to play anymore? I won’t get moments like stewart against colombia? mcbride against mexico? donovan against algeria? john american brooks?
I’ve never cared much for missionary work, I’ll keep on enjoying it on my own terms.
I didn’t realize the NBA had died off — about time. . .
diving and play acting hurt is a HUGE problem.
It’s such a huge probelm that with dozens of super slow-motion angles of these dives in stunning quality high definition, worldwide soccer popularity is at an all-time high.
Diving in soccer looks theatrical on replay because it has to communicate a foul to a referee 35 yards away. It’s actually pretty useful.
Imagine how dramatic basketball players would have to be if the only ref was standing on the opposite baseline.
There’s plenty of fakery in other sports too, it’s just that there’s an obsession with people pointing it out in soccer, including endless posts about it even a fantastic world cup like this one.
The World Cup on whole has been amazing… but this crap needs to be taken out of the game.. it makes it a joke at times… this game has been a complete disaster for promoting fair play…
it is detracting from the world cup. How do you enjoy a sports contest when every 3 minutes someone dies on the field, and then miraculously gets up and runs around. It should only happen is tent revivals.
Because 3 minutes of continuous action is still better than what you’d get from ANY OTHER MAJOR SPORT.
Plus sometimes the ball hits the corner flag and stays in bounds and I will never get tired of that.
Reggie Miller
Yeah, the bite marks should be enough for a retroactive red card…. that might get the practice stopped. A few retroactive yellows for acting, and the players would concentrate less on their acting skills. It can be stopped, and it should be.
There is no such thing as a retroactive card. He could/should receive a long ban and be sent home.
All Uruguay does is con the ref. Balotelli called for a foul for having a guy jump into him, then yellow carded for doing more or less the same thing himself!
Dude…Balotelli’s knee was at the back of the dudes skull… it was a reckless just as he is as a player.
anyone else having trouble with the Watch ESPN app?
Let’s go Uruguay. Let’s go SUAREZ.
A brace today,
Hope to see Costa Rica beat England but with Gerrard scoring. Loads of criticism against him lately
So, it’s do-or-die for both Italy and Uruguay?
I say Uruguay takes it off the back of their star striker.
I say it will be Italy
That red card is gonna make for a very hectic final 20 minutes!
And there’s the goal! Italy on the ropes!
Anyone here predict that Costa Rica and Uruguay would be the two survivors of this group? (didn’t think so!)
I picked Italy and Uruguay -__-
I’d say their star striker took it off the back of Chiellieni. Same difference.
No writeup on Jozy not being available?
By “this tournament” they mean to say he will be back if we make it to the semis. Maybe.
Exactly. Even the slightest of hamstring injuries means a long recovery and a high risk of re-injury if the player tries to come back too soon.
Sadly, I think Jozy is done for this cycle. If not in actuality, then as a threat on the field.
What do you need to know? He won’t be available… apparently he is recovering well but the short timeframe between games was not conducive to him returning. Believe!
Just surprised several hours have gone by since Klinsmann confirmed he wouldn’t be available vs Germany and there’s no article/discussion on it. That stuff generates tons of clicks
+1
It’s a good point.
If I was Costa Rica… I would not want to win the group…I think they would match up against Colombia far better than they would against Ivory Coast….
Costa Rica isn’t trying all that hard. I mean oh they kinda want to win but you can see that they are just killing the game. They are so good at it too.
Interesting, but I’d disagree. Colombia is playing very well, even without their talisman, Falcao. Ivory Coast does present a physical challenge to the Ticos, but they’re suspect on the counter, which Costa Rica has elevated to an art form over the last week.
Plus, if CR can get past Ivory Coast, it sets up a one of two mouthwatering quarterfinals against either Concacaf rival Mexico or the similarly counter-attacking style of the Dutch. Not saying the Ticos would win either tie, but it would have a puncher’s chance. Not so much against Brazil, assuming they can beat Colombia.
Generally, I don’t think anyone would want to match up against any of the CONMEBOL sides in the knockout stage…
well it worked out perfect…they gave minimal effort against England, won the group and get a very very average team in Greece now… Go on Costa Rica, QFs are in your future!!