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It's now day two of double matches, and like yesterday, you'll want to be setting up a second screen for the second group of matches. In case you slipped into unconsciousness, a quick reminder of what happened in Groups A and B:
- Australia and Spain met in a meaningless match, but Spain managed to score three goals, so they can head home with their hearts held high. Or something.
- Netherlands beat Chile 2-0, taking top of Group A and leaving Chile to face Brazil.
- Because although Cameroon finally scored a goal, Brazil scored four, and they took top of Group B.
- But it was touch and go for about three minutes. Mexico were up 3-0, and if they and Cameroon had managed to score again, they'd have finished atop the Group. Instead both Brazil and Croatia scored, and Mexico meet Holland.
The matches
Group | Location | Time (CET/ET) | |
Costa Rica vs. England | D | Estádio Mineirão, Belo Horizonte | 6 p.m./ noon |
Italy vs. Uruguay | D | Estádio das Dunas, Natal | 6 p.m./ noon |
Greece vs. Ivory Coast | C | Estádio Castelão, Fortaleza | 10 p.m./ 4 p.m. |
Japan vs. Colombia | C | Arena Pantanal, Cuiabá | 10 p.m./ 4 p.m. |
Any Napoli players involved?
We're still rooting for more goals for Pablo Armero and Camilo Zúñiga, if only so that Napoli can command a higher asking price for both. Of course, keeping one around as backup is likely a good idea.
And, of course, we'll be hoping for more action from Lorenzo Insigne with Italy. He failed to impress against Costa Rica (to put it mildly) and he's likely kicking himself for not having his best talents on display. He won't be starting, of course, but let's hope Cesare Prandelli gives him another chance off the bench.
How, exactly, can these teams advance?
Let's get this out of the way first: Italy can advance with a draw. Their goal difference is such that they'll beat out Uruguay to spot #2. But playing that way doesn't suit this azzurri side, and they're likely to get caught out by Luis Suárez and his band of merry men.
For a deeper look on what Uruguay are capable of, check out Conor's preview of Italy's opposition.
We all know England are out of the tournament. But are Costa Rica a lock for top seed? Most likely, but if England's kids disrupt Costa Rica enough, Italy can overtake top spot by overcoming a -3 goal difference, while Uruguay will need to overcome -4.
Colombia are going through - yay! A win or draw puts them into the top spot. Japan, who've scored just one goal thus far, need a win, combined with a loss from Ivory Coast, to go through. That or they need to win by at least two goals, while les elephants draw.
Ivory Coast can advance themselves by beating Greece, which should seem simple enough, but Greece can still make it as well, if they win and Japan fail to do so. There's also a strange situation in which Greece can get through if both they and Japan win, but they'd have to win by at least three goals, so we all know that ain't happening.
How do I watch these games?
In Italy? You're on SkyGO or Sky Mondiale. In the US it's ESPN in English and Univision in Spanish, and both have online streaming platforms, while Canadians friends have CBC and the CBC Sports player. In the UK you can watch ITV for the first match and BBC One for the rest of the day, or use the ITV or BBC players online. If you live elsewhere, check LiveSoccerTV for listings in your country.