2014 FIFA World Cup: Uruguay Knock Out Azzurri; Stoppage-Time PK Puts Greece Past Elephants Into Knockout Stage; Ticos, Colombia Win Groups

Two more groups concluded play as four games were contested in the FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Group C:

At Cuiaba:
 
Jackson Martinez scored twice (55', 82', that's him celebrating) as Colombia concluded a perfect opening round with a 4-1 domination of Japan as the Blue Samurai were eliminated.

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At Fortaleza:
 
Andreas Samaris scored twice (42', PK-90'+3, that's him and his teammates celebrating after scoring his last-minute game winner) Greece advanced to the knockout stage for the first time in three World Cup appearances following their 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast as the Elephants were denied a berth in the Round of 16.

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FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Colombia (GP: 3; GD: +7; PTS: 9)
2. Greece (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 4)
3. Ivory Coast (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. Japan (GP: 3; GD: -4; PTS: 1)

Colombia and Greece advanced to the knockout stage.



Group D:

At Natal:
 
Diego Godin scored the only goal of the match in the 81st minute (shown here) as Uruguay defeated Italy 1-0 to advance to the knockout stage and eliminate the Azzurri from the tournament.

Reuters photo by Yves Herman

At Belo Horizonte:
 
Costa Rica clinched top spot in Group D following their 0-0 stalemate with already-eliminated England.  Keylor Navas, pictured here, played a superb game in net for the Ticos.

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 FINAL GROUP C STANDINGS:

1. Costa Rica (GP: 3; GD: +3; PTS: 7)
2. Uruguay (GP: 3; GD: 0; PTS: 6)
3. Italy (GP: 3; GD: -1; PTS: 3)
4. England (GP: 3; GD: -2; PTS: 1)

Costa Rica and Uruguay advanced to the knockout stage.



This coming Saturday, Colombia will battle Uruguay in Round-of-16 action at Rio de Janeiro while Costa Rica will face Greece at Recife on Sunday.