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| Diego Godin proved to be Uruguay's hero in win. Photo Credit: MSN UK |
Uruguay advanced to the Round of 16 by defeating a shorthanded Italy 1-0 at Estadios Das Dunas in Natal. Defender Diego Godin scored the lone goal in this match off a corner kick from Gaston Ramirez in the 81st minute. The goal was set up courtesy of a slick left footed curl pass into the box that glanced off the back and shoulder of a rising Godin past the diving Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon and found its way into the back of the net.
By: Sunil Sunderraj
Early into the first half of the match, Uruguay created a terrific scoring chance for themselves to get on the board. This scoring opportunity came off a free kick that was fisted out by Italy’s goalkeeper Buffon to keep the game scoreless.
Italy would have answer to that scoring opportunity by Uruguay with one of their own just a few minutes later. It was started off a free kick of their own that dipped and swerved but Uruguay was up to the task as their goal keeper Fernando Muslera managed to punch the ball over the crossbar, denying Italy the equalizing goal.
Mario Barwuah Balotelli made himself known in this game for the wrong reason as he received a yellow card. This would have been a problem since it was his second, signaling that he would have missed Italy’s next match had they been able to win. It was for a reckless and dangerous midair knee to the head of defender Maximiliano Pereira which left the referees no choice but to give him a yellow card.
Buffon would come up with another masterful save in the 32nd minute. Suarez navigated around Italy’s defense to reach the end line and place a left footed strike on goal but was stonewalled. Midfielder Nicolas Lodiero alertly tracked the rebound off Suarez’s kick and he got a shot on goal himself, but was turned away once again as his rebound shot was scooped up by Buffon.
Starting the 2nd half of the match, Italy’s coach Cesare Prandelli decided to bench Balotelli and insert Marco Parolo.
The momentum swing in the match occurred in the 58th minute as Italy’s Midfielder Claudio Marchiso was brandished a red car by the referee for going over the top of the ball recklessly. This left Italy with 10 men to play the rest of the match which made making any sort of comeback look even more grim and hopeless.
In the 65th minute, once again Buffon made a brilliant diving save off a toe poke shot by Suarez denying Uruguay from putting the game completely on ice.
The 80th minute of the match was marred by an ugly incident by Uruguay’s star player in Luis Suarez. Video clearly showed Luis Suarez biting the shoulder of defender Giorgio Chiellini inside Italy’s goal area. Chiellini attempted to show the marks on his shoulder but was waved off by the referee. Suarez has a history of biting opposing players before and will be interesting to see what if any consequences come from this latest incident.
In the 83rd minute Italy threatened one last time for the match. Courtesy of a free kick, but Midfielder Andrea Pirlo’s shot missed wide left of the net. That missed shot all but closed the book on Italy as Uruguay was able to smartly maintain possession of the ball as the minutes ticked away until the match was called. 