Italy 0-1 Uruguay: Godin books last 16 spot, but Suarez faces ban
Diego Godin scored his third big goal in a matter of months to fire Uruguay into the last 16 of the World Cup at Italy’s expense.
It was the centre back who scored the goal at the Camp Nou that decided the destination of the La Liga title in May, while he also momentarily put his club side ahead in the Champions League final a few weeks later, and the defender made it a hat-trick of decisive strikes in the 81st minute against Italy.
Prior to that moment it looked like business as usual for the Azzurri, who seemed certain to hold on to a 0-0 draw and progress to the knockout stage as a result.
A poor first half saw little quality from either team, with Marco Verratti’s occasional feints and dribbles the only real bright spot.
With the game goalless at half-time Cesare Prandelli seemed happy enough, but Oscar Tabarez knew something needed to change for his nation, and switched to three at the back for the second period.
The shift in shape provided more width for Uruguay, but not more penetration, and Italy were comfortable batting away aimless crosses into their area.
The first real moment of drama came in the 58th minute when Claudio Marchisio was shown a straight red card. While the incident was initially unclear, it proved to be a great spot from the referee, as replays showed his studs were high when he challenged Arevalo Rios.
Seeing Italy reduced to ten men wasn’t necessarily a good thing for Uruguay however - at least initially - as it meant the Azzurri abandoned any attempts to attack, and simply set about keeping a good shape and conceding as little space in their area as possible.
Cesare Prandelli’s side may be a more progressive version of the Italian national team, but defending is still in their blood, and they largely kept Uruguay at bay.
Frustration grew for the South Americans, and Luis Suarez was lucky not to be sent off when he tussled with Giorgio Chiellini in the Italy area. The defender retaliated with an elbow, then later suggested the Liverpool man had bit him. Fortunately for both players, the referee missed both incidents, though tomorrow's front pages certainly won't. If FIFA decide Suarez was indeed guilty of biting his opponent, he may find his World Cup is over earlier than expected.
That ultimately wasn’t the defining moment of the game however, as up popped match-winner Godin. The Uruguayan has proven to be an expert in the air in recent seasons, and Italy suffered the consequences of allowing him to attack the ball from a corner. Prandelli threw bodies forward in response, but it was too little, too late. For the second successive World Cup, Italy exit at the group stage, while Uruguay make it to the last 16 once more. The fate of Luis Suarez, however, remains to be seen.