Los Ticos have qualified and England are out already but there is still much to look forward to for spectators at the Estadio Mineirão in Belo Horizonte today. If the Costa Ricans make it three out of three, they will not only become the only side after the Netherlands to maintain a perfect record but they will also condemn England to an exit from Brazil with zero point like it happened for Cameroon and Australia on Monday.
Of course, the Arena das Dunas in Natal is where most fans will have their eyes fixed as Italy and Uruguay will know their fate at the World Cup. Two bad boys will square off – Luis Suarez and Mario Balotelli – in what promises to be a show full of passion and perhaps controversy! The Azzurri and La Celeste Olimpica each count three points after falling victims to surprise package Costa Rica.
Group D facts:
• Costa Rica need a draw to secure the top spot.
• Costa Rica will maintain the top spot even if they lose to England as long as their goal difference beats that of either Italy or Uruguay.
• Italy only need a draw to advance to the Last 16.
• Uruguay are obliged to win or join England out of Brazil.
Group D ahead of Matchday 3 (Graphic by Wikipedia)
Team sheets for Costa Rica vs England
Costa Rica’s First XI: Navas, Gonzalez, Borges, Duarte, Campbell, Ruiz (c), Brenes, Diaz, Gamboa, Tejeda, Miller
England’s First XI: Foster; Jones, Cahill, Smalling, Shaw; Milner, Lampard, Wilshere, Barkley, Lallana; Sturridge
Team sheets for Italy vs Uruguay
Italy’s First XI: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Darmian, De Sciglio, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli, Immobile.
Uruguay’s First XI: Muslera; Caceres, Gimenez, Godin, A.Pereira; Gonzalez, Arevalo Rios, Rodriguez, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suarez.
