Match 24 - Italy vs Costa Rica

Match 24 on June 20 at 1:00 PM Brasilia Time

Venue: Arena Pernambuco, Recife

             (Ruiz 44')
Man of the Match: Brian Ruiz

Fulltime - What a display by Costa Rica, they are going to the Knockouts, beaten former champs in two consecutive games. Knocked out England from the group, another former champ

Italy will play Uruguay for the second qualification berth on 24th at Natal

01:30: Brenes has a go from outside the box, it's just wide of the right post
01:30: Cerci's corner meets the feet of Cassano, but he could only kick it wide
01:24: Urena is loose, the defenders are trying to get him, Chiellini manages to block his shot

This half is mostly a midfield battle. Less clear chances

01:20: Substitution - The goalscorer Ruiz is being replaced by Brenes
01:14: Substitution - Campbell is being taken off, replaced by Urena
01:11: Yellow Card - Cubero is booked for not stopping play on whistle
01:09: Substitution - Marchisio leaves the pitch, Cerci replaces him
01:09: Yellow Card - Balotelli is booked for taking down a defender in the box
01:08: Substitution Tejeda is taken off, Cubero comes in for Costa Rica
00:59: Counter attack, Bolanos is free. Buffon come out of his box to kick it away. the Costa Rican was offside anyway
00:57: Substitution - Insigne replaces Candreva for Italy
00:53: Pirlo freekick, dipping into the goal, Navas makes a save again
00:51: Darmian powers a shot, Navas has to deflect it over the bar
00:46: Substitution - Motta is withdrawn and Cassano comes in at halftime

Halftime -  Spectacular display from Costa Rica, they are the true stars of this group

00:44: Goal - Great cross from Diaz, Brian Ruiz heads it in. Goalline technology confirms it. What an effort by  the captain
00:43: Campbell is in the box, Chiellini takes him down, penalty not given, controversy. Chiellini would have been sent off of the penalty was given, he was obstructing a goalscoring opportunity
00:42: Another chance for Costa Rica, Duarte just puts it over
00:41: Diaz crosses it in, Campbell lurking, defense forces him to put it wide

Italy are looking a bit settled now but Costa Rica are not withholding anything at all

00:39: Ruiz takes a long shot on goal, Buffon comfortably pouches it
00:36: Bolanos shoots it and Buffon had to stretch to his left to make a save, that was heading towards the bottom right corner
00:33: Motta to Balotelli, power shot, Navas blocks it and then holds, another great chance for Italy
00:31: Balotelli is away from defense and is onside, but he miscues it away from both the goal and keeper. Pirlo is the one who setup Super Mario

00:27: Balotelli chests it, sets up Motta, powerful shot but wide of target
00:20: Chiellini took a big hit on his face, took some time to get back to his senses

Costa Rica are dominating proceedings here. Italy fighting for possession, Buffon not looking convincing

00:16: Bolanos again, his corner is met by Duarte, Buffon deflects it to corner
00:07: Bolanos at it again, this time his cross is not well headed by Borges, great chance but wide

00:02: Costa Rica are already on goal, but Bolanos shot is a bit tame

Its Kickoff at Recife. If Costa Rica gets a point in this game, England will go home

Lineups

Italy: Buffon, Chiellini, Darmian, Motta, Candreva, Abate, Marchisio, Balotelli, Barzagli, De Rossi, Pirlo

Costa Rica: Navas, Gonzalez, Umana, Borges, Duarte, Bolanos, Campbell, Ruiz, Diaz, Gamboa, Tejeda

Referee: Enrique Osses, Chile

Head to Head: Italy 1-0-0 Costa Rica