Live commentary: Italy - Uruguay 0:1 (World Cup 2014 Brazil, Group D)

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Slideshow World Cup 2014 Brazil Group D, Italy - Uruguay

Italy	Tuesday, 24. June 2014 17:00 Clock	Uruguay
	0:1

goals
0 : 1	Diego Godín 81. / header (Gastón Ramírez)

90'		Endgame Summary: An arguable red card to Marchisio set up a frantic finish in an otherwise very dull matchup between Italy and Uruguay that never could live up to what was at stake. Uruguay advances on a header from their captain, but the most intriguing story is a looming suspension for the notorious biter Luis Suárez, who buried his teeth into opposition once again. Missed by the officials, the star striker can be penalized by the FIFA, so Uruguay most certainly will at least have to replace him for one game going forward. Costa Rica and the South Americans can now relax and await the opponents for the knockout stage from group D that kicks off in about two hours!
90'		Full-Time
90'		Italy is unable to get into the box due to sloppy passing. Buffon rushes up front for a last free-kick, but the delivery is desperately defended by Uruguay. The South Americans win a final throw-in before the referee blows the liberating final whistle.
90'		The South Americans are not interested in attacking any longer. 120 seconds left!
90'		Pirlo tries to create and crisp passing sets up a delivery from the left that can't find its way through the Uruguayan legs.
90'		It seems that Italy is unable to play through the defense so they have to settle for these aerial balls.
90'		Fernando Muslera (Uruguay) is shown a yellow card He gets penalized for delay of game.
90'		Cross after cross flies into the Italian box, but so far Uruguay is able to clear everything away.
90'		We are getting five minutes of stoppage time.
88'		Poor play by Luis Suárez! The striker is off to the races in transition down the right and has support in the middle, but can't get the ball to his teammates.
86'		Someone from the Italian coaching stuff is send to the stands by the referee after complaining. Tempers are rising as Uruguay tries to milk clock.
84'		Italy whips in several crosses to somehow find that equalizer.
83'		The Azzurri are minutes away from elimination would be the next big European outlet to pack their bags after Spain and England.
81'		Goooal for Uruguay, 0:1 by Diego Godín After the controversial action just seconds ago, the captain raises and heads a bullet past Buffon after a corner.
80'		It wasn't the first time Suárez bit someone as he received repeated suspension in the English Premier League for similar offenses. That said, Chiellini elbowed the striker in succession, which was also missed by the officials.
79'		What in the world?! Luis Suárez is clearly frustrated with the physical play of Giorgio Chiellini and bites the shoulder of the defender. That's an unsportsmanlike conduct and the Liverpool man is lucky to stay on the pitch.
79'		With the last change in the game Tabárez brings on fresh legs for his midfield.
78'		Substitution (in) Uruguay -> Gastón Ramírez
78'		Substitution (out) Uruguay -> Cristian Rodríguez
77'		Mattia De Sciglio (Italy) is shown a yellow card He gives away the free-kick on the right against Maxi Pereira with a rough challenge.
76'		The red card has not drastically shifted the landscape on defense for Italy, but they have even less offensive options now.
75'		Thiago Motta moved back to the bench after starting the second game and comes on for the injured.
75'		Substitution (in) Italy -> Thiago Motta
75'		Substitution (out) Italy -> Marco Verratti
74'		Marco Verratti goes down from a late challenge and it seems serious although Luis Suárez claims a dive to milk clock.
73'		Italy has all men behind the ball and are closing down the midfield.
71'		Ciro Immobile goes off after a poor showing and Parma's Cassano takes over up front.
71'		Substitution (in) Italy -> Antonio Cassano
71'		Substitution (out) Italy -> Ciro Immobile
69'		Finally the pace of the game is picking up, we might get compensated for the sloppy play so far with a thrilling ending.
68'		The champions of 2010 sit deep into their own half, but Pirlo is able to send Immobile down the right. José Giménez meets the striker with a superb tackle and clear the ball out for a corner.
66'		Luis Suárez goes for goal! The striker picks up a loose ball and fires from 16 yards, but Buffon makes a brilliant right-handed save and shows emotion after keeping the game level.
65'		We can surely prepare for a powerplay by the South Americans for the remainder while Italy will search for that one chance in transition.
63'		Egidio Arévalo can't continue and up one man, Oscar Tabárez brings on another striker.
62'		Substitution (in) Uruguay -> Christian Stuani
62'		Substitution (out) Uruguay -> Álvaro Pereira
60'		After a loose touch Marchisio was chasing the ball but was late and caught the chin of Arévalo. That was surely careless by the Italian, but it's a stern decision by Marco Rodríguez.
59'		Claudio Marchisio (Italy) is sent off Out of nowhere it's getting wild in Natal! It looked like a common challenge from the defensive midfielder on Arévalo, but the Mexican referee does not hesitate and reaches into his pocket.
58'		Rodriguez is send into the box on a one-two with Suarez, but pokes the ball well wide from a tight angle. At least they were getting behind the Italian defense here for the first time this half.
57'		Where is that urgency from Uruguay? They might just need that one chance to get going.
55'		This time Pirlo does find Immobile on the right side, but a Giménez tackle thwarts away any danger.
54'		Pirlo tries to find teammates up front, but can't squeeze the passes through.
52'		The game unfortunately continues where it left off as there is not much going on the pitch.
50'		Edinson Cavani is upset after he is brought down by Bonucci, but the referee waves it off because both players got equally physical.
49'		On the other side Maxi Pereira moves to the right back spot and is supposed to provide more offense from the wings. Cáceres moves to midfield.
48'		We might be getting our Cattenachio after all, because Italy has switched to a 3-6-1 to clog midfield.
46'		Both coaches start the second half with a change. Booked Balotelli has to come off probably to prevent a send-off and Tabárez leaves us puzzled with bringing on another defender for midfielder Lodeiro.
46'		Egidio Arévalo (Uruguay) is shown a yellow card He is the first to be booked for Uruguay with a late challenge.
46'		Substitution (in) Uruguay -> Maxi Pereira
46'		Substitution (out) Uruguay -> Nicolás Lodeiro
46'		Substitution (in) Italy -> Marco Parolo
46'		Substitution (out) Italy -> Mario Balotelli
46'		Second Half begins
45'		Halftime Summary: The boos are raining down on the teams going into the half after an uninspiring showing. No offense could really find its way into the game mainly because the coaches chose a very defensive approach to the game. That said, Italy can be perfectly fine with the draw that would send them to the knockout stage, but Uruguay has to and probably will show that sense of urgency because it's hard to believe the Celeste wants to go down without a fight.
45'		Half-Time
45'		Seconds later Matteo Darmian needs treatment on the sideline. We are literally limping into the half.
45'		Giorgio Chiellini is down for the second time in his box today after a corner. He might have caught an elbow.
44'		The teams are hearing it from the crowd for the first time, because the game can't generate any pace or excitement.
42'		Mario Balotelli is carelessly approaching the tackles although he already got booked. The star needs to keep his cool.
40'		Andrea Pirlo wins a free-kick in midfield against Luis Suárez. The playmaker couldn't quite leave his mark on the game in this first half.
38'		Martín Cáceres goes for the cheeky finish as he spots Buffon off his line. He tries to embarrass the Juventus teammate by lifting the ball from about 70 yards onto the Italian goal, but the shot is well wide.
35'		It's still scoreless in the second game between Costa Rica and England by the way. That would be enough for the Ticos to claim the top-spot in group C no matter the result here.
33'		Buffon saves! A neat one-two with Lodeiro sends Luis Suárez into the box on the left side of the goal, but can't get the cross to the middle against an onrushing Buffon. Lodeiro picks up the rebound and the veteran keeper also blocks the second effort from a tight angle. Great awareness from the Juventus man!
32'		Luis Suárez tries to muscle through on the left side, but routinely finds himself short-handed on offense. Surrounded by defenders he can't get anything out of the situation.
30'		Speaking of the Dortmund striker: He finally gets an effort on goal as he is picked out by De Sciglio from the left, but his volley from 16 yards is well high.
28'		Newly inserted Ciro Immobile is nowhere to be seen although he overlapped to create space for Balotelli in the last sequence.
27'		Balotelli receives the pass from Marco Verratti after the midfielder has won the ball for Italy, but the resulting shot is well wide.
26'		And again: Uruguay has to win this one but is entirely focused on a firm defense. It's a poor showing by the Celeste.
24'		The game is scrappy at the moment. Still not much going on inside the areas as well.
22'		Mario Balotelli (Italy) is shown a yellow card This game was due for an early booking and if Italy makes the last 16, the striker will be suspended.
20'		Left back Álvaro Pereira finds some space on the left side and picks out Edinson Cavani at the near post with a low delivery. The strike is well marked though and can't get the ball on target.
18'		Especially Uruguay is sitting deep in its half and hope to get out in transition with its fast-paced strikers. Only that it's not happening.
16'		Not much excitement in the stands so far, but it's not like the match facilitates a thrilling atmosphere. It's a slow start in Natal in every possible area.
15'		Mario Balotelli tries to track down a deep ball on the left side, but is unable to keep it in play.
14'		Is quite surprising that Italy is the driving force so far given that they don't need to win. One could easily have expected a good amount of Catenaccio.
12'		The South Europeans follow up with some set-pieces and against a serving Pirlo effort from 30 yards Muslera doesn't look to convincing, but is able to parry it over the crossbar.
10'		On the other side Mario Balotelli gets to the ball inside the area and is able to fend off Martín Cáceres. His high cross in the middle is cleared by Godin's header.
8'		Suárez swings a set-piece into the box, but Buffon is off his line and punches the danger away.
7'		Marco Rodríguez could be in for a challenging afternoon. There is already a lot of discussion going on between the referee and the players.
5'		Italy pokes around the ball in midfield, but is dispossessed and Barzagli gives away the free-kick with a rough and late challenge against Suárez.
4'		A lot of touchy fouls in the early going as both teams try to find their way into the game.
3'		Seems like the Italian enfant terrible is able to continue.
2'		Italy has an early concern as Balotelli is limping after Egidio Arévalo inadvertently landed on his leg.
1'		The game is underway! Italy is playing in blue, the Celeste in white.
1'		Kick-Off
		We're all set and let by Mexican referee Rodríguez the teams are coming out!
		Will the South Americans climb all the way back from an embarrassing opener or can smart and experienced Italy fend off Suárez and company and claim the needed point? Gianluigi Buffon is confident that his side will be able to bounce back after the 0-1 defeat to Costa Rica and the Azzurri are sure known for their savvy ability to defend and get the result they want.
		Oscar Tabárez fields the exact same team that got the important win against the Three Lions and Uruguay's hope surely centers around Liverpool's superstar Suárez once again. In order to advance for the second time since 1990, Uruguay has to push for a better result than in last year's Confederations Cup. The two sides met in a third-place play-off clash with Italy claiming the victory on penalties after a 2-2 draw in regulation.
		The full lineups are available here.
		In search for more offense, Prandelli chooses to give Dortmund's new arrival Ciro Immobile a go next to Balotelli and Marco Verratti replaces the injured Daniele De Rossi in midfield. After recovering from an injury Mattia De Sciglio makes his debut today on the wing and centre back Leonardo Bonucci completes the changes in the starting lineup for the South Europeans.
		After a disappointing first game against Costa Rica, Uruguay beat England on Thursday fueled by the return of star striker Luis Suárez, who scored both goals for his team. Italy shares the same fate, they lacked creativity and playmaking to threaten the Ticos, but won against the Three Lions on a Balotelli header.
		In one of the more surprising turns of this edition, underdog Costa Rica was the first to advance from a group featuring England, Italy and Uruguay. This leaves the Azzurri and Celeste fighting for the remaining spot in the knockout stage. A draw would be sufficient for Cesare Prandelli's side while the South Americans have to win.
		Janosch Ferda is commentating for you. Enjoy!
		Welcome to the last matches of group D in the World Cup 2014! Italy and Uruguay face off in Natal with the progression at stake.