Colombia Defeats Greece 3-0
It was a cringe-inducing start to Group C play for Greece and a thrilling one for Colombia as Pablo Armero put the Colombians ahead less than five minutes in, sending the overwhelmingly Colombian-supporting crowd in Belo Horizonte into an early frenzy.
But it did not quite turn into a rout, as Greece responded well and was able to produce a healthy share of opportunities throughout the rest of the first half. Panagiotis Kone and Giorgos Samaras were able to test Colombian goalkeeper David Ospina, but could not break through.
Any result looked possible until the 58th minute, when a corner-kick goal from Teófilo Gutiérrez doubled Colombia's lead and seemed to deflate Greece. James Rodríguez, who created much of his team's offense, capped the win in stoppage time with a goal to go with his impressive assist, giving Colombia a 3-0 victory.
Costa Rica spring huge upset
Costa Rica came from behind to beat Uruguay, 3-1, at the Estádio Castelão to get their Group D campaign off to the best possible start, perhaps demolishing Uruguay's dreams of a repeat semifinal run in the process.
22 minutes in, Yeltsin Tejeda clattered Cristian Rodríguez, giving Forlán another chance at swinging in a delivery. His effect didn't actually reach Diego Lugano, but that's only because Júnior Díaz was busy hugging Uruguay's captain to the ground. Felix Brych quickly gave the penalty despite some furious (and misguided) protests.
Up stepped Cavani. The Paris Saint-Germain star's record from the spot had never been particularly great, but his penalty was perfect, easily beating Keylor Navas despite the Levante goalkeeper guessing the right way. Up 1-0 and against an unfancied side, Uruguay looked completely in control.
Costa Rica weren't going to let the goal get them down too much, however. Joel Campbell replied almost immediately with a 30-yard howitzer that fizzed past Fernando Muslera's left-hand post and Giancarlo González had a scrambled effort deflected into the side netting after confusion on the Uruguay box.
Costa Rica were not to be denied, and the Ticos leveled through Campbell with 54 minutes gone. Lugano couldn't quite reach Christian Gamboa's cross, the ball fell to Campbell, and the Arsenal loanee neatly put the ball through the net with a thumping finish.
And they weren't done there, either. Bryan Ruiz won a free kick in a central position, the ball was swung in by Christian Bolaños, and Duarte, remembering his previous effort at the near post, steered a stupendous header just inside the far post. Just like on Campbell's goal, Muslera was totally helpless.
Maxi Pereira capped off Uruguay's day by getting himself sent off for kicking Campbell during stoppage time.
Italy capture World Cup win over England
Mario Balotelli's second-half goal led Italy past England 2-1 in a thriller at Manaus on Saturday night. Played in stifling conditions, both teams played at breakneck pace, but in the end, Italy's experience and class proved the difference.
England looked far slicker and more fluid than they have in the past but if Italy were bending early, they were not bowing as danger lurked in the form of Pirlo, who was inexplicably allowed to make cutting diagonal passes from deep-lying positions.
World's best corner kick:
Pirlo is so classy that the fact is those types of balls simply might not be able to be stopped, but it was disconcerting to see four or five England players stand and watch as the Juventus legend ripped right them.
It was Pirlo who ultimately helped Italy get on the board. Antonio Candreva, a terror all night long down England's right flank, won and then served in a corner that Marco Verratti tipped on. Pirlo pulled a sublime dummy to set up Claudio Marchisio, and he left Joe Hart helpless with his blast to the far post.
Normally, the Italians are very difficult to dislodge once they have a lead, but England have other ideas, and two minutes later, Sturridge crafted a reply. Sterling started the play, feeding Wayne Rooney out wide left with Pirlo-esque pass of his own, allowing the Manchester United man to whip one to the far post for Sturridge to take on the hop and hit home.
The hits kept on coming after the break, with Balotelli finally finding the back of the net in the 50th minute. Candreva was again left alone on that right side and he sent in a fine ball that caught Gary Cahill lollygagging. Balotelli simply popped up, headed the ball in and then went on his merry way.
England physiotherapist Gary Lewin suffered a freak injury while celebrating Daniel Sturridge's goal against Italy.
He had to be carried off the pitch on a stretcher after dislocating an ankle afetr the Liverpool hitman equalised for the Three Lions.
TV replays showed the England bench go wild after Sturridge smashed Wayne Rooney's cross to level the scores.
But when the celebrations subsided Lewin could be seen lying prostrate with a crowd of concerned England staff and players around him.
The veteran physio was seen clutching his right foot.
Lewin's injury comes after boss Roy Hodgson's assistant Ray Lewington was left on crutches after having an operation on his knee on the eve of the World Cup.
Let's hope both are fit and ready for the Three Lions' next game against Uruguay on Thursday.
Drogba inspires Ivory Coast to 2-1 win over Japan
Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a 2-1 comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match on Saturday.
Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0.
The talismanic striker’s arrival immediately lifted the Ivory Coast team and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier.
Coach Sabri Lamouchi’s inspired substitution negated Keisuke Honda’s first half goal that had given Japan the lead.
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| Ganbatte! |
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