Costa Rica finished first in one of the World Cup’s toughest groups after a dour 0-0 draw against a second-string team in the Group D finale for England on Tuesday.
Costa Rica only needed a draw to finish first in the group and played that way, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation.
The result gives Costa Rica its best World Cup performance, winning a group that contained three former world champions. While the Ticos reached the knockout stages in 1990, they finished second in a weaker group. Costa Rica will play the runner-up in Group C in the second round.
“We will have to keep fighting,” Costa Rica Coach Jorge Luis Pinto said. “Whatever happens we are willing to fight.”
Uruguay Join Costa Rica in the Knockout Stages
The Italy vs. Uruguay match did not deliver the type of outcome Team Italia expected.
Italy was eliminated from the World Cup after a late goal by Diego Godin.
Then at eighty-one minutes, G. Ramirez delivered a stunning assist. The assist would set up the goal that would end Italia’s run for the title.
Diego Goldin at eighty-one minutes hit the game winning goal, sending Italy home and advancing Uruguay.
Italy now joins Spain and England among countries eliminated from the tournament at the end of the Group Stage.
Before today, Italy had two wins, two losses and one draw in their last five games. Uruguay in turn had four wins and one loss in their last five matches.
Last-gasp Samaras penalty sends Greece through
Wilfried Bony's second-half equalizer looked set to send the Africans into the knockout phase but Samaras' spot kick in the dying seconds spoiled their party.
Greece will now face Costa Rica in the last 16 of the World Cup after a last-minute penalty from Georgios Samaras sealed a 2-1 win over Cote d'Ivoire on Tuesday.
Columbia have done it again
It was no secret coming in: Japan needed a lot of offense and a lot of luck to move through to the knockout stage. These things did not happen.
Japan was able to sneak a goal across just before halftime, but Colombia, behind wunderkind James Rodriguez, dominated the second half, pulling away for a 4-1 victory.
Colombia had already locked up a spot in the knockout round while Japan just had a fighting chance. That chance was erased after a bevy of Colombia goals buried the Japanese side.
Notably, Jackson Martinez was able to get in the scoring column -- twice! -- while James Rodriguez was again sensational. He is fast becoming a player that can't be missed.
Colombia now will move on to play Uruguay in the Round of 16, and Greece -- the other representative from Group C -- will face Costa Rica.
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