England have been extremely eliminated at the group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1958 as Italy lost 1-0 to Costa Rica in Recife. It is the first time that the England national side have been knocked out after just two matches, with Roy Hodgson's team beaten by Group D rivals Italy and Uruguay. They had needed Italy to win both of their remaining games to stand any chance of reaching the last sixteen. But Costa Rica's surprise - but, entirely deserved - defeat of the Azzurri ended England's involvement, despite Gary Lineker wearing an Italian shirt and everything. The England team watched Friday's match from their hotel in Rio. And, it's fair to bet, by the end of the game they had faces longer the Ruud Van Nistelrooy and John Terry put together.
This blogger certainly never expected England to survive longer in this World Cup than Spain. But, neither did he expect them to be confirmed as coming home before Honduras. Or Iran. Mind you, dear blog reader, if you think the British press have been - and, indeed, will be - hard on the team for their disastrous 2014 campaign, that's nothing; check out the Brazilians taking the piss out of us.
Cheeky sods!
So, as noted, Costa Rica produced their second stunning upset in a week to beat a poor Italy side and confirm England's exit. And, what's more, the Central Americans fully warranted their win at Arena Pernambuco, which was sealed by a Bryan Ruiz header shortly before half-time. The former Fulham striker watched his effort hit the crossbar and bounce over the line. Goal-line technology confirmed the decision. This result proved Costa Rica's victory over Uruguay in Fortaleza had been no fluke and they might have won more comfortably had they been awarded a penalty when Arsenal striker Joel Campbell was clearly fouled in the penalty area. Italy were a shadow of the side that beat England comfortably in Manaus and now drop into second place in Group D, behind Costa Rica. Uruguay are third on goal difference. The result confirmed what England had feared after Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in Sao Paulo and means Roy Hodgson's side will be eliminated whatever the result against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Italy face Uruguay in Natal at the same time. History was not on England's side going into this contest. Italy had failed to win their second group match at any of the previous three World Cups. One man who had been present on all three occasions was goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Having missed Italy's opening game against England, the Juventus captain was passed fit to play in his fourth World Cup, becoming only the fifth Italian to do so. On his return, there were signs of rust as Costa Rica controlled much of the first half. The Italy goalkeeper came for a corner but missed, only for Celso Borges to head just over. Buffon got down smartly to save a low shot from the excellent Christian Bolanos but the real drama was still to come. The half burst into life shortly before the interval with two key incidents. In the first, Arsenal striker Joel Campbell checked back onto his left foot and ran at the Italian defence with his typical vigour. His run was ended in the penalty area, as defender Giorgio Chiellini cut across the 21-year-old as he prepared to shoot. It looked a clear penalty, but referee Enrique Osses from Chile waved played on to the disbelief of those in the Arena Pernambuco. Costa Rica would not be denied, though. Within a minute, they came forward again. Bolanos swung the ball wide to the left flank where Junior Diaz curled an inviting ball towards Brian Ruiz at the back post. The former Fulham forward connected with a header that first struck the crossbar and then bounced down, beyond the dive of Buffon, and over the line. The Costa Ricans exploded with joy. It was no more than they deserved. Italy could only get better and but any improvement was marginal. Andrea Pirlo tested Navas with a free-kick that wobbled and dipped, while Matteo Darmian thumped a rising shot that was tipped over the bar by the Costa Rica goalkeeper. But their best chance had fallen to Mario Balotelli much earlier in the game. It went to waste. The opportunity in question came after a majestic lofted pass by Pirlo. The former Manchester City striker controlled it but could only loft his shot wide with the goal at his mercy.
'As a Newcastle fan, watching Cabaye is like seeing an ex-girlfriend who's lost a stone and looks even better than when she dumped you,' Graeme Swann, the former England cricketer and massive Newcastle United fan, tweeted after France's opening victory over Honduras. He meant it as a compliment (and, according to ITV commentator Sam Matterface, Yohan Cabaye saw it as such and was amused by it). No doubt thousands on Tyneside are feeling the same way after Cabaye was, again, central to a second superb France performance. France all but secured their place in the last sixteen as three first-half goals against Switzerland helped them to an easy Group E win in Salvador. The Arse's Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a stunning header before Blaise Matuidi blasted in the second just over sixty seconds later after poor goalkeeping. Karim Benzema had a penalty saved and Cabaye hit the post from the rebound before the impressive Mathieu Valbuena added a third just before half-time. A second goal from Benzema (his fourth of the tournament so far) and another from Cayabe's ex-Newcastle teammate Moussa Sissoko made it 5-0 before late consolation strikes from Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka gave the score a tinge of respectability. France's dominance was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline at Arena Fonte Nova suggests. This blogger said after Les Bleus opening victory against Honduras that he intended to withhold getting too carried away until France had actually played someone of substance and that remains true as the Swiss were desperately poor, particularly in the first half. Les Bleus, seeking to reach a third final in five World Cups, annihilated a piss-poor Swiss team and sent out a message of intent to their rivals. Didier Deschamps's side move to six points at the top of Group E, with a match against Ecuador on 25 June to come. Having self-destructed in South Africa four years ago, the French are clearly enjoying playing in South America.
They have scored eight goals in their first two games and the way they dismantled Switzerland suggests they could be serious contenders in Brazil. The Swiss were not helped the ninth minute loss of defender Steve Von Bergen to injury. But Ottmar Hitzfeld's men were no match for their rampant opponents and were left humbled and humiliated. Switzerland had overcome Ecuador 2-1 in their first game and, despite the loss of Von Bergen, there was little evidence of what was to follow. Giroud's goal, the one hundredth that France have scored in World Cup finals, set them on their way, The Arse forward leaping high above the Swiss defence to direct an unstoppable header into the net. They doubled that lead just over a minute later, and within thirteen seconds of the re-start when Matuidi fired home after Velon Behrami had conceded possession carelessly. It looked all over when Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after Benzema was brought down by Johan Djourou. Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio kept out Benzema's penalty, though and Cabaye smashed the rebound against the woodwork. But that let off only briefly delayed Switzerland's pain, Valbuena connecting with Giroud's cross to make it 3-0 five minutes before the interval. Benzema did manage to score his third of the tournament with a clinical finish after good work by substitute Paul Pogba midway through the second-half. Sissoko made it 5-0 in the seventy third minute after more shambolic defending before the Swiss scored two late consolation goals. First Dzemaili beat Hugo Loris from forty yards with a remarkable low free-kick that snaked through a poorly constructed French wall, before Xhaka beats the offside trap before finding the net. But it was too little too late for the Swiss against a powerful French side that looks determined to make a serious impact. The only slight downside for the French was a second yellow card of the tournament for Cayabe who, for the second game running, was at the heart of everything good they produced from midfield. It means that Cabaye will miss the game against Ecuador.
Enner Valencia scored both goals as Ecuador left Honduras on the verge of exiting the competition. Carlo Costly latched onto a long ball and lashed in a low twenty-yard shot to put Honduras ahead on thirty one minutes. Ecuador quickly equalised when a deflected cross fell for Valencia to slot home and he then nodded in at the far post to give his side the lead. Honduras pressed for an equaliser but a goal eluded them and they have now lost both of their first two group games. Honduras have yet to win in eight World Cup matches and, even if they beat Switzerland in their final group game, they are not certain to reach the next round because of their goal difference. Ecuador will meet France in their final group game and, if Switzerland beat or draw against Honduras, they need to match that result to reach the last sixteen.
So, as noted, Costa Rica produced their second stunning upset in a week to beat a poor Italy side and confirm England's exit. And, what's more, the Central Americans fully warranted their win at Arena Pernambuco, which was sealed by a Bryan Ruiz header shortly before half-time. The former Fulham striker watched his effort hit the crossbar and bounce over the line. Goal-line technology confirmed the decision. This result proved Costa Rica's victory over Uruguay in Fortaleza had been no fluke and they might have won more comfortably had they been awarded a penalty when Arsenal striker Joel Campbell was clearly fouled in the penalty area. Italy were a shadow of the side that beat England comfortably in Manaus and now drop into second place in Group D, behind Costa Rica. Uruguay are third on goal difference. The result confirmed what England had feared after Thursday's 2-1 defeat to Uruguay in Sao Paulo and means Roy Hodgson's side will be eliminated whatever the result against Costa Rica in Belo Horizonte on Tuesday. Italy face Uruguay in Natal at the same time. History was not on England's side going into this contest. Italy had failed to win their second group match at any of the previous three World Cups. One man who had been present on all three occasions was goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Having missed Italy's opening game against England, the Juventus captain was passed fit to play in his fourth World Cup, becoming only the fifth Italian to do so. On his return, there were signs of rust as Costa Rica controlled much of the first half. The Italy goalkeeper came for a corner but missed, only for Celso Borges to head just over. Buffon got down smartly to save a low shot from the excellent Christian Bolanos but the real drama was still to come. The half burst into life shortly before the interval with two key incidents. In the first, Arsenal striker Joel Campbell checked back onto his left foot and ran at the Italian defence with his typical vigour. His run was ended in the penalty area, as defender Giorgio Chiellini cut across the 21-year-old as he prepared to shoot. It looked a clear penalty, but referee Enrique Osses from Chile waved played on to the disbelief of those in the Arena Pernambuco. Costa Rica would not be denied, though. Within a minute, they came forward again. Bolanos swung the ball wide to the left flank where Junior Diaz curled an inviting ball towards Brian Ruiz at the back post. The former Fulham forward connected with a header that first struck the crossbar and then bounced down, beyond the dive of Buffon, and over the line. The Costa Ricans exploded with joy. It was no more than they deserved. Italy could only get better and but any improvement was marginal. Andrea Pirlo tested Navas with a free-kick that wobbled and dipped, while Matteo Darmian thumped a rising shot that was tipped over the bar by the Costa Rica goalkeeper. But their best chance had fallen to Mario Balotelli much earlier in the game. It went to waste. The opportunity in question came after a majestic lofted pass by Pirlo. The former Manchester City striker controlled it but could only loft his shot wide with the goal at his mercy. 'As a Newcastle fan, watching Cabaye is like seeing an ex-girlfriend who's lost a stone and looks even better than when she dumped you,' Graeme Swann, the former England cricketer and massive Newcastle United fan, tweeted after France's opening victory over Honduras. He meant it as a compliment (and, according to ITV commentator Sam Matterface, Yohan Cabaye saw it as such and was amused by it). No doubt thousands on Tyneside are feeling the same way after Cabaye was, again, central to a second superb France performance. France all but secured their place in the last sixteen as three first-half goals against Switzerland helped them to an easy Group E win in Salvador. The Arse's Olivier Giroud broke the deadlock with a stunning header before Blaise Matuidi blasted in the second just over sixty seconds later after poor goalkeeping. Karim Benzema had a penalty saved and Cabaye hit the post from the rebound before the impressive Mathieu Valbuena added a third just before half-time. A second goal from Benzema (his fourth of the tournament so far) and another from Cayabe's ex-Newcastle teammate Moussa Sissoko made it 5-0 before late consolation strikes from Blerim Dzemaili and Granit Xhaka gave the score a tinge of respectability. France's dominance was every bit as emphatic as the scoreline at Arena Fonte Nova suggests. This blogger said after Les Bleus opening victory against Honduras that he intended to withhold getting too carried away until France had actually played someone of substance and that remains true as the Swiss were desperately poor, particularly in the first half. Les Bleus, seeking to reach a third final in five World Cups, annihilated a piss-poor Swiss team and sent out a message of intent to their rivals. Didier Deschamps's side move to six points at the top of Group E, with a match against Ecuador on 25 June to come. Having self-destructed in South Africa four years ago, the French are clearly enjoying playing in South America.
They have scored eight goals in their first two games and the way they dismantled Switzerland suggests they could be serious contenders in Brazil. The Swiss were not helped the ninth minute loss of defender Steve Von Bergen to injury. But Ottmar Hitzfeld's men were no match for their rampant opponents and were left humbled and humiliated. Switzerland had overcome Ecuador 2-1 in their first game and, despite the loss of Von Bergen, there was little evidence of what was to follow. Giroud's goal, the one hundredth that France have scored in World Cup finals, set them on their way, The Arse forward leaping high above the Swiss defence to direct an unstoppable header into the net. They doubled that lead just over a minute later, and within thirteen seconds of the re-start when Matuidi fired home after Velon Behrami had conceded possession carelessly. It looked all over when Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed to the spot after Benzema was brought down by Johan Djourou. Goalkeeper Diego Benaglio kept out Benzema's penalty, though and Cabaye smashed the rebound against the woodwork. But that let off only briefly delayed Switzerland's pain, Valbuena connecting with Giroud's cross to make it 3-0 five minutes before the interval. Benzema did manage to score his third of the tournament with a clinical finish after good work by substitute Paul Pogba midway through the second-half. Sissoko made it 5-0 in the seventy third minute after more shambolic defending before the Swiss scored two late consolation goals. First Dzemaili beat Hugo Loris from forty yards with a remarkable low free-kick that snaked through a poorly constructed French wall, before Xhaka beats the offside trap before finding the net. But it was too little too late for the Swiss against a powerful French side that looks determined to make a serious impact. The only slight downside for the French was a second yellow card of the tournament for Cayabe who, for the second game running, was at the heart of everything good they produced from midfield. It means that Cabaye will miss the game against Ecuador. Enner Valencia scored both goals as Ecuador left Honduras on the verge of exiting the competition. Carlo Costly latched onto a long ball and lashed in a low twenty-yard shot to put Honduras ahead on thirty one minutes. Ecuador quickly equalised when a deflected cross fell for Valencia to slot home and he then nodded in at the far post to give his side the lead. Honduras pressed for an equaliser but a goal eluded them and they have now lost both of their first two group games. Honduras have yet to win in eight World Cup matches and, even if they beat Switzerland in their final group game, they are not certain to reach the next round because of their goal difference. Ecuador will meet France in their final group game and, if Switzerland beat or draw against Honduras, they need to match that result to reach the last sixteen.
