World Cup 2014 Brazil » Group D » Live commentary: Italy - Costa Rica 0:1

Fulltime Summary:
Who would've thought that Costa Rica could win this group? Well technically Italy and Uruguay could still come first if they managed to improve their goal difference and if Costa Rica lost against England. But this seems quite unlikely by now, seeing how the Ticos beat two former world champions and maybe even will beat the third one, too. They were superior in the beginning and defended well later on. All in all you can say that it was a quite even game, with both teams having 10 attempts and 6 shots on target. Though Italy had more possession (68:42), they didn't manage to use that to orchestrate moredangerous attacks. Apart from two Balotelli chances in the first half, Prandelli's team had few efforts worth mentioning, though they did play more offensively after the half-time break. But Costa Rica's defense was just too strong and made their opposition wear off more and more in this high temperature. With their tactical finesse, the Ticos managed to maintain the lead and proceed to the next round, simultaneously kicking England out of the tournament.

Brenes has a great effort! His curled shot from about 23 metres just goes pass the right post.

It doesn't look like the Azzuri can do something about the impending defeat. The have a croner-kick from the right and Cerci's cross finds Cassano. But his header isn't good enough and misses the target.

Ureña has an attempt! He receives the ball right in front of the penalty area and makes a few steps to the right. But eventually his shot is blocked.

Pinto makes his third and final substitution, sending Brenes on the pitch for Ruiz. It's quite astonishing that the Ticos' head coach doesn't replace the striker with a defender!

Over and over, Italy are trying to create more scoring opportunities, but their attacks are stopped by the Ticos' massive defense. The Azzuri have to pick up the pace, after all the only have about 15 minutes left.

José Cubero (Costa Rica) is shown a yellow card
Well now the Ticos receive their first booking, too. Cubero places himself in front of the ball while Pirlo is about to take a free-kick. Clearly this is a yellow card.

Mario Balotelli (Italy) is shown a yellow card
That's ridiculous! The ref didn't book players from both teams for similar and even worse challenges, but he shows Balotelli a yellow card for this? While in an off-the-ball situation in the opponent's box, the striker is tearing his opponent for a short time.

That's not an offside position! Abate tries to find Insigne with a long diagonal ball onto the left and the referee wrongfully prevents the Italians from attacking.

Cassano has his first effort, but it's not a dangerous one. His shot from the edge of the box is deflected and therefore slowed down, Buffon picks up the ball quite easily.

Prandelli takes Candreva off the pitch and replaces him with S.S.C. Napoli's Insigne on the pitch, who's far more offensively oriented.

All in all Italy are acting more offensively now! Left fullback Darmian dashes forward and cuts to the right at the left corner of the box. His attempt looks great, but goes over the bar with a whoosh!

That could've been a penalty, too! Balotelli has the ball in the box and passes it back, but simultaneously he's tackled by Duarte. The defender doesn't touch the ball at all.

The ticos should have a penalty! Campbell is sent forward with and dashes into the box from the right. He's felled by Chiellini, but the ref doesn't use his whistle!

This time Ruiz tries his luck from about 18 metres distance, but his effort is just too weak. The ball rolls onto the goal and into Buffons hands.

It seems like Prandelli's team is taking over control, shifting play into their opposition's half. Italy also increasingly manage to get the ball into the box!

This is why we love Pirlo! Without any preparation, he picks out a long ball into the box, where Balotelli manages to lob the ball over Navas. But his attempt misses the target.

Maybe the climate does have an effect on the Azzuri? Pirlo and Co. are playing really slow, passing the ball back and forth. Of course, this makes it easier for the Ticos to defend.

That wasn't so bad! While Díaz and Abate are fighting for the ball at the left corner flag, it seems as if the Italian lashes out and hits his opponent in the face. But actually there's barely a contact and it doesn't look like the Milan defender is doing it on purpose. Referee Enrique Osses rightfully doesn't dignify this with a reaction.

La Sele are applying much pressure on the defending line when Italy has the ball! This time Barzagli is forced to play back to Buffon, but his pass is not good enough and therefore goes out of play. Again, Bolaños following cross looks quite decent, but this time the Azzuri are able to make a clearance.

That went pretty wrong! Balotelli passes to Marchisio, who then wants to play a fast ball onto the right wing. But his pass proves unreachable for Abate.

Well one could easily penalise this with a booking! Duarte is holding Marchisio in midfield after the Italian picks up the pace. But the referee only grants the Azzuri a free-kick.

This would've been a great start for Italy! Pirlo plays one of his dreaded long balls, finding Marchisio in the front. But his Juventus teammate is offside.

Of course the Azzuri stressed that Costa Rica are "a very good team", as Balorelli stated and the striker added: "we'll show them the respect they deserve by going out and giving everything we can." The Ticos on the other hand seem quite confident and are not looking to gain only one point today, at least that's what midfielder Jose Miguel Cubero said: "When you play for a draw in football, you usually end up losing. We're going for the win against Italy."

Also, Andrea Barzagli and Daniele De Rossi recovered from minor injuries which made it impossible for the duo to participate in training on Monday. In contrast to Italy's first match, Mattia De Sciglio is part of today's roster since he overcame his muscle problem.

On the other hand, Costa Rica's midfielder Christian Bolaños is hoping that the high temperature and humidity will prove to be an advantage for him and his team: "Italy have great players like Balotelli and Pirlo, who controls all of their play, and we have a lot of respect for them. But we'll hope to benefit from the heavy climate. We are used to playing in those kinds of temperatures." In fact, Italy's Daniele De Rossi said his team was "dying from the heat" in last year's Confederations Cup. But since the Azzuri prepared themselves with sauna sessions before the WC, they should be able to handle the conditions.

Since Italy beat England already in their first game, the Azzuri are now the ultimate favourite in this group. Of course Cesare Prandelli's squad has to watch out against the Ticos, after all they celebrated a 3-1 victory over Uruguay in their first match of this WC.

Azad Derakhshani will provide the live commentary for this match.