Fortaleza (Brazil), June 25: Italy crashed out in the group stages of the World Cup for the second time in running after losing 0-1 to Uruguay in a controversy-marred Group D match, while Greece rode on Georgios Samaras’ injury-time penalty to seal a place in the next round in an eventful 13th day of the tournament.
Skipper Diego Godin scored a late header to guide Uruguay to the round of 16 and knock Italy out of the competition, while Costa Rica topped Group D after a goalless draw against England in Belo Horizonte.
Later in the day, Greece rode on Samaras’ penalty to pull off a sensational 2-1 win over Ivory Coast and reach the second round of the World Cup for the first time, while Colombia maintained its unbeaten record and spanked Japan 4-1 in Cuiaba to drew curtains on the Asian champion’s challenge in the event.
But the game between Uruguay and Italy in Natal was the talking point of the day as it witnessed flared tempers, rough tackles and controversies.
Controversial Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez found himself at the wrong side of things once again as he was at the centre of yet another biting controversy after appearing to sink his teeth into Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini’s shoulder moments before Godin’s scored the winner.
For the third time in his career, Suarez is facing potential punishment for appearing to bite a rival player after FIFA has ordered an inquiry into yesterday’s incident.
Godin’s goal off a corner in the 81st minute was enough for the 2010 semifinalist to progress in the competition. The result meant Uruguay finished second in Group D behind Costa Rica.
Both teams, knowing the importance of the game, started cautiously. Italy had the better of the possession in the first 45 minutes but they failed to attack the opposition goal consistently.
The half also saw plenty of rough tackles including the one involving Mario Balotelli, who was shown a yellow card for the second time in the group stages after a hard challenge against midfielder Alvaro Perreira. The Italian striker’s form and behaviour on the field led to Marco Parolo replacing him at the break.
Uruguay star forward Suarez, who took the field despite concerns over his fitness, kept himself in the game with couple of shots on target. The Italians, however, defended well to keep their opponents at bay.
Action heated up further in the second half. The Italians were down to 10-men in the 59th when midfielder Claudio Marchisio was handed a red card for a nasty tackle on Egidio Arevalo.
Uruguay expectedly stepped up the pressure on the vulnerable 10-man Italy but failed to find the breakthrough with the clock ticking past the 80th minute mark.
Knowing very well that a draw would sent them out of the tournament, Uruguay pressed hard for the winner and finally managed to break the resolute Italian defence when Godin rose above his markers to find the net in the 81st minute with a powerful header past goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon from a corner.
Meanwhile, in a Group C match later in the day, Greece were awarded a late penalty after Samaras was adjudged to have been tripped in the area by substitute Giovanni Sio, and the lanky striker calmly slotted in the spot kick in the 91st minute to take his side into knockout stage.
It was heart break for Ivory Coast as a draw would have been enough for them to advance to the next stage. Greece, who were at the bottom of Group C before the game began, finished second in the group behind Colombia.
Fully aware that only a win can keep their hopes alive, Greece started brightly and took the lead just before half-time through young Andreas Samaris who pounced on a defensive error to slot the ball home.
But Wilfried Bony equalised for Ivory Coast in the 74th minute from close range and it looked like the goal would put the Africans through until the late drama.
In another Group C game, Jackson Martinez scored twice to help Colombia beat Japan 4-1 and register their third consecutive win.
The match made World Cup history when Farid Mondragan beat Roger Milla’s record as the oldest player at any finals tournament. The Columbian goalkeeper came on as a substitute for the last six minutes at the age of 43 years and three days.
Colombia will play Uruguay in the round of 16 at Rio de Janeiro’s historic Estadio do Maracana on Saturday, while Greece will face Costa Rica in the second round on Sunday at Recife. (PTI)
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