Good Sunday morning to you all, and we are two games down on a busy Day Three of the FIFA World Cup Brazil. Before we look ahead, we look back at the matches completed so far this morning: Earlier today at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte, Colombia have taken control of Group C as they defeated Greece 3-0. Goals to Pablo Armero after 5 minutes, and second half goals to Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez gave the South Americans a decisive three points in what could be a tight group, while Greece were disappointing as they failed to take their opportunities in mounting a comeback, and will really need to improve if they are to avoid being knocked out in the group stages. Its full time at Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza, and it could amount to the first major upset of the tournament, as Costa Rica have upstaged Uruguay 3-1 to really shake-up Group D. With all predictions that Los Ticos were supposedly an automatic three points, after 45 minutes, the script was going according to plan after Edinson Cavani scored from the penalty spot after Diego Lugano was brought down in the area. However, the game changed when Joel Campbell equalised on 54 minutes, before Oscar Duarte gave the underdogs the lead three minutes later. Despite Uruguay pushing forward for an equaliser, the upset was all but confirmed 6 minutes from time when Michael Umana scored a brilliant goal to seal the win. Maxi Periera earned the dubious honour of being the first player shown a red card at the tournament as he dismissed in stoppage time for a rash tackle. Uruguays hopes will now certainly rest on the fitness of Luis Suarez, who took no part in this match. We move on to the other Group D match, and its the highly anticipated clash between England and Italy in Manaus. The talk of the pitch condition, the heat and humidity have perhaps been a distraction to the importance of this match to the fortunes of both nations, which has now taken on even more significance thanks to the shock defeat of Uruguay. Here are the starting lineups: ITALY: Sirigu; Chiellini, Barzagli, Paletta, Darmian; De Rossi; Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio; Candreva; Balotelli. ENGLAND: Hart; Johnson, Jagielka, Cahill, Baines; Gerrard, Henderson, Welbeck, Sterling; Rooney, Sturridge. The major team news is that Italian keeper and captain Gianluigi Buffon is out through injury, with Salvatore Sirigu deputising for the 140-cap talisman. While for England, it is a youthful attacking line as Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge have been rewarded for great seasons at Liverpool, with the experience of Wayne Rooney in the middle. Could be a war of attrition between this two proud footballing nations, with kick off in just under 30 minutes time.
Posted on: Sat, 14 Jun 2014 21:31:17 +0000
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