England was already out coming into the last round of matches in the group stage after failing to win any points in their first two matches. They were only there to play out their farewell to the crowd in Brazil and like Spain, attempt to save face from their early exit. Costa Rica needed only a draw to become group winners and the 0-0 result gave them just that. Being the only team in the group to never have won the World Cup, Costa Rica faced the group of death where they were expected to fail. Surpringy, the South American side beat all odds and were first to advance in the group.
Italy needed only a draw to take second place in the group after Costa Rica defeated them and Uruguay. The do-or-die match between the two teams lacked intensity and looked like it would end in a draw which woud favour Italy. Diego Godin pulled out a beautiful header past a fully outstretched Gianluigi Buffon with 9 minutes left in regulation time to put Uruguay ahead. The 2006 World Cup Champions Italy were left with very little time to get an equalizer and despite their best efforts.
THe highlight of the evening aside from the goal was Luis Suarez and his controversial bite on Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini. Both players fell after the incident with Suarez holding his mouth in pain and with CHiellini brandishing his shoulder to show the referee what appears to be a bite mark. FIFA has launched an investigation on the incident which could lead to a lengthy suspension for Suarez.
See full Group D Match results and standings here.
Uruguay's Luis Suarez holds his teeth during the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Uruguay and Italy at the Dunas arena in Natal June 24, 2014. Suarez can learn to stop biting opponents but it will not be a quick or easy process, senior psychologists have said following the Uruguay striker's bite on the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini at the World Cup. Suarez, twice previously banned for biting, is under investigation by FIFA for the incident late in the Group D clash on Tuesday and faces another lengthy suspension. REUTERSUruguayan soccer fans react after their team beat Italy in a 2014 World Cup soccer match in Montevideo June 24, 2014. REUTERSItaly's Giorgio Chiellini shows his shoulder, claiming he was bitten by Uruguay's Luis Suarez, during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Dunas arena in Natal June 24, 2014. REUTERSUruguay's national soccer players celebrate at the end of the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Uruguay and Italy at the Dunas arena in Natal June 24, 2014. REUTERSItaly's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and coach Cesare Prandelli hug after the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Uruguay and Italy at the Dunas arena in Natal June 24, 2014. REUTERSUruguay's Diego Godin celebrates with team mate Christian Stuani (rear) after scoring a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against Italy at the Dunas arena in Natal June 24, 2014. REUTERSCosta Rica soccer fans watch a large screen broadcasting the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Costa Rica and England, in San Jose June 24, 2014. REUTERSEngland's Wayne Rooney falls on the ground during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against Costa Rica at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 24, 2014. REUTERSEngland's Phil Jones ,Steven Gerrard and Wayne Rooney react after the match against Costa Rica during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 24, 2014. REUTERSCosta Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez (R) reacts after being shown the yellow card from referee Djamel Haimoudi during the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against England at the Mineirao stadium in Belo Horizonte June 24, 2014. REUTERS
