Two late goals, another Colombian dance party, one bitten shoulder and enough agony and ecstasy to last another four years.
Yeah, Day 13 of the World Cup was pretty entertaining.
Here’s how it all shook out:
Italy 0-1 Uruguay | Full Recap
Luis Suarez did it again.
For the third time in his career, the Uruguayan striker bit an opposing player.
Suarez appeared to sink his teeth into the shoulder of Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini in the 79th minute of Tuesday’s match, one minute before Uruguay defender Diego Godin headed home a corner kick to propel La Celeste into the Round of 16 over the 10-man Italians, who would’ve advanced with a draw.
Congrats to Uruguay, which turned in two gutty performances after a dreadful opener to advance to the Knockout Phase. They’ll face the winner of Group C in the Round of 16 on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. MT on ABC.
Just stop biting people, ok?
Costa Rica 0-0 England | Full Recap
Costa Rica completed the most unlikely of outcomes on Tuesday, drawing England to not only advance to the Round of 16, but to finish in first place in Group D.
Los Ticos – who started Columbus Crew’s Giancarlo Gonzalez and New York Red Bulls’ Roy Miller on Tuesday – will continue their unlikely run through the World Cup on Sunday, when they’ll face the Group C runner-up at 2:00 p.m. MT in Recife on ESPN.
Congrats to Costa Rica and RSL forward Alvaro Saborio, who is currently injured and watching Los Ticos on their magical run in Brazil.
Japan 1-4 Cuiaba | Full Recap
Colombia finished up its perfect run through Group C on Tuesday, thrashing Japan 4-1 in Cuiaba to post a perfect 3-0-0 record and take top honors in the group. Los Cafeteros will play again on Saturday, facing Uruguay – with or without Luis Suarez – in the Round of 16.
With passage to the Round of 16 already booked ahead of Tuesday’s match, Colombia Manager Jose Pekerman elected to rest most of his starters against Japan. That didn’t matter much of course, with Colombia jumping out to a 17th minute lead through after Juan Guillermo Cuadrado buried a penalty kick.
Japan actually found an equalizer in first half stoppage time, when Shinji Okazaki scored to make it 1-1. It was all Colombia from there though, with second half sub – and one of the stars of the entire tournament – James Rodriguez taking control of the match. Rodriguez set up Jackson Martinez for Colombia’s second and third goals in the 55th and 82nd minute before finishing things off in the 89th minute with a lovely goal of his own.
Today’s result ends Japan’s run at the World Cup, sending the Asian side back home following a disappointing three games that saw them finish last in Group C.
Greece 2-1 Ivory Coast | Full Recap
Ivory Coast had it.
Drawn into very difficult groups in the last two World Cups, Les Elephants’ golden generation – headlined by Didier Drogba, Yaya Toure and Gervinho – finally looked poised to move into the Knockout Stage for the first time in their country’s history. All they needed was to make it through stoppage time with their 1-1 tie with Greece and they’d be through to the Round of 16.
With seconds left on the clock, Ivory Coast’s dreams were shattered – and Greece’s were realized.
Greece striker Georgios Samaras earned and converted a penalty kick in the third minute of second half stoppage time to give the Greeks a dramatic 2-1 win and put them through to the Knockout Round for the first time in their history.
The penalty was somewhat controversial, though those of us here at RSL think the ref made the right call.
Samaras’ strike came 20 minutes after Ivory Coast forward Wilfried Bony equalized for Les Elephants, who fell behind when Andreas Samaris put Greece on the board in the first half.
Greece will play next on Sunday, taking on the Mighty Ticos of Costa Rica at 2:00 p.m. MT in Recife on ESPN. Ivory Coast will head home, having finished third in Group C.
