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FIFA World Cup roundup: Uruguay edges 10-man Italy to advance

Uruguay's Luis Suarez, left, celebrates with Diego Godin following their 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday. (Associated Press)
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Uruguay's Luis Suarez, left, celebrates with Diego Godin following their 1-0 win over Italy on Tuesday. (Associated Press)

Captain Diego Godin scored in the 81st minute as Uruguay edged 10-man Italy 1-0 in Natal, Brazil on Tuesday to reach the second round of the World Cup, a victory overshadowed by a biting incident involving Luis Suarez.

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.

“The red for Marchisio and not sending off Suarez were ridiculous,” Chiellini said.

It was only one of many ugly incidents in a highly physical “in or out” match at the Arena das Dunas.

Marchisio was shown a direct red card for putting his boot into Egidio Arevalo’s knee in the 59th. Also, Mario Balotelli picked up his second yellow card in two matches for a dangerous foul during the first half, and was substituted out before the second half.

Four-time champion Italy is heading home after the group phase for the second consecutive World Cup.

Costa Rica 0, England 0: Costa Rica finished first in what many considered the toughest group after a dour, scoreless draw against England in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

Costa Rica only needed a draw to top Group D and played that way.

The result gives Costa Rica its best World Cup performance.

England lost its first two matches to Italy and Uruguay, while Costa Rica surprisingly won its first two.

Greece 2, Ivory Coast 1: Georgios Samaras scored an injury-time penalty in Fortaleza, Brazil to send Greece into the second round of the World Cup for the first time, eliminating Ivory Coast in the process.

Samaras was adjudged to have been tripped in the area by substitute Giovanni Sio, and calmly slotted in the spot kick for the win. Ivory Coast would have advanced with a draw.

The Greeks had taken the lead just before halftime through substitute Andreas Samaris.

Wilfried Bony equalized for Ivory Coast in the 74th after being set up by Gervinho.

That goal looked like it would put the Africans through until the late drama. Colombia 4, Japan 1: James Rodriguez scored a brilliant goal and set up two more for Jackson Martinez as Colombia routed Japan 4-1 in Cuiaba, Brazil to confirm top spot in Group C and eliminate the Asian champions from the World Cup.

Already assured of advancing, Colombia guaranteed first place with its third straight win, setting up a second-round match against Uruguay.