We’re loving everything about this World Cup.
Here’s how Day 8’s going so far:
Colombia 2-1 Ivory Coast | Full Recap
This one started off emotional, with Ivory Coast midfielder Serey Die breaking down during the national anthem as he mourned the death of his father, who reportedly passed away earlier on Thursday.
That emotion carried into the match, an incredibly passionate affair that saw each side foray forward with pace and ability. Colombia struck first, going ahead in the 64th minute through star attacker James Rodriguez.
Rodriguez then led Colombia – which has a penchant for this sort of thing – in another fantastic full-team dance celebration. Move over Shakira, indeed:
Los Cafeteros doubled their advantage six minutes later, when Juan Quintero coolly finished off a Colombia counter following an Ivory Coast turnover. It looked like the South Americans might ice it off after Quintero’s strike, but Ivory Coast attacker Gervinho had other ideas, scoring an absolutely brilliant goal – perhaps the best of the tournament – in the 73rd to pull Les Elephants within one.
Ivory Coast desperately pushed for an equalizer after Gervinho’s goal, but – despite pinning Colombia back for nearly 20 minutes – couldn’t quite find one.
Today’s result moves Colombia to the top of Group C on six points. Ivory Coast remains in second on three points, ahead of Japan and Greece, which will face off later tonight. Colombia is already all but through the second round and Ivory Coast looks like a safe bet to advance – the African side will advance with a win, and potentially a tie, against Greece in their final game of the group stage.
Uruguay 2-1 England | Full Recap
Oh, England.
Not only did you go and lose to Uruguay today, you did it in the most painful way possible, allowing national villain and noted biter Luis Suarez to score twice – including an 86th minute winner – to lose 2-1 to move to 0-2-0 this World Cup.
Suarez put Uruguay ahead in the 39th minute, heading home a lovely chipped ball from fellow forward Edinson Cavani to put the Uruguayans on top. Much-maligned English forward Wayne Rooney equalized deep into the second half, tapping home a Glen Johnson cross to draw the Brits level. It looked like England might find a late winner, but Suarez broke the Three Lions’ hearts in the 86th, latching onto a misplayed header from Liverpool teammate Steven Gerrard and burying his shot to give the South American side the victory.
The English aren’t out of it yet, but they’ll need some serious help to have any shot of advancing to the Round of 16. Italy will need to beat both Costa Rica tomorrow and Uruguay next week, England will have to beat Costa Rica in its Group D finale and the Three Lions will need to make up some ground on goal differential in order to avoid going home early.
Uruguay have a much simpler road to the Round of 16, as a win in their group stage finale against Italy will likely – though not certainly – put them through to the knockout phase. Both Uruguay and England will finish up Group D action on Tuesday.
Japan 0-0 Greece | Full Recap
Both Japan and Greece lost their first match of the World Cup and came to Natal needing a win. After 90 minutes – and a host of fouls – the game ended in a tie.
Japan played poised and disciplined in their passes and shots while Greece came in with power and strength. Greece’s strength got the better of them in the 38th minute when Katsouranis received his second yellow card in 11 minutes and was dismissed from the match. From that point, Greece were determined to walk away with a point.
The second half started and Greece didn't seem like the team with a man down. Samaras almost put Greece up in the 46th minute with a 35 yard strike. For the rest of the match it was either team's game to lose; however it ended 0-0 with Greece the happier team.
Due to this result, Columbia - already with 6 points - will move on to the Round of 16. Ivory Coast is right behind Columbia with 3 points. Japan and Greece follow up both with 1 point, although Japan has the tiebreaker.
The final matches for Group C are Tuesday, June 24th at 2:00pm. Ivory Coast, Japan, and Greece are all still alive in their group and any of them can move on with a win in their next match.
