NATAL, Brazil (AP) – Captain Diego Godin scored in the 81st minute as Uruguay edged 10-man Italy 1-0 today to reach the second round of the World Cup, although the victory was overshadowed by a biting incident involving the South American side’s star forward Luis Suarez.
Four-time champion Italy, meanwhile, are heading home after the group phase for the second time in four years.
Godin rose above a crowd of defenders to meet a corner with his left shoulder and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had no chance.
Moments earlier, replays showed Suarez apparently bite the shoulder of Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini as the pair clashed in the Italian penalty area.
Suarez was already sanctioned with a heavy ban for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic in the English Premier League in 2013 and FIFA can sanction players for biting with bans of up to two years.
Italy midfielder Claudio Marchisio was shown a direct red card for putting his boot into Egidio Arevalo’s knee in the 59th. Mario Balotelli picked up his second yellow card in two matches during the first half, and was benched for the second period.
Uruguay had to win to go through while Italy needed only a draw and it was clear that the Azzurri were playing for that result when coach Cesare Prandelli replaced Balotelli with a defensive midfielder, Andrea Parolo, to start the second half.
It appeared the tactic could work when veteran goalkeeper Buffon stuck his right arm out to deny an excellent effort from Suarez in the 66th on a sizzling afternoon at the Arena das Dunas.
But Godin was waiting to meet a corner from substitute Gaston Ramirez, who had come on three minutes earlier. With his back to the goal, Godin managed to redirect the ball into the far corner.
The last time Italy failed to proceed from the group stages in two successive World Cups came between 1950 and 1966, when Italy were eliminated in the first round four successive times.
Group D Results
Uruguay 1, Costa Rica 3
England 1, Italy 2
Uruguay 2, England 1
Italy 0, Costa Rica 1
Italy 0, Uruguay 1
Costa Rica 0, England 0
Group D Standings
Teams Matches Wins Draws Losses Goals For Goals Against Points
Costa Rica 3 2 1 0 4 1 7
Uruguay 3 2 0 1 4 4 6
Italy 3 1 0 2 2 3 3
England 3 0 1 2 2 4 1
