itsbeautifuloutside

Italy v Uruguay

Natal, 24th June 2014

Match Report

For one night only, leaving my beloved group g, to come over to the goings on in group d,.I've done no research into this group, other than watching both these sides beat England,

Uruguay went into this game knowing only a win would see them through, but it was Italy who started the brighter of the two sides. Identifying the main danger, Italy played with three centre backs, one with the sole job of staying tight on Suarez.

The first half consisted of lots of free kicks for minor trips and pushes and it was no surprise when the first booking came. Baloteli tries to protest his innocence but, as he made contact with someone's head, it has to be dangerous.

After 35 minutes came the first decent goalmouth action, Buffon makes a fine double save, but in reality, this really is a dreadful game. A Uruguayan defender tried a shot from his own half but it went miles wide. The game seemed to be played entirely in 20 yards either side of the half way line and consist of a free kick every 3 minutes. I'm left hoping the second half will have some excitement.

Half time Italy 0-0 Uruguay

In the second half Italy took off Baloteli. It seemed sensible, as Uruguay knowing he has been booked, had been trying to wind him up.

Within 30 seconds we had a foul, and the second half continued like the first, free kick after free kick, with rare bits of football breaking out between stoppages. Goal chances? You must be joking. Italy, knowing a draw would be enough, were content to just hold the ball.

On the hour Suarez, who I'd forgotten was playing, played a great ball through to Rodrigues with just the keeper to beat, but put the ball well wide.

On the next foul, Italy have a man sent off. On first showing it looks no different from the other 300 fouls in this game, but the replay shows the ref has got it right, Marchisio had put his studs down the Uruguayans leg.

Uruguay needing a win and now with one extra man, started to gain control, Buffon makes a brilliant save from Suarez, but Italy looked good on the break. At last the game was becoming decent.

On 76 minutes, Gastón comes on, his first job is getting involved in a goalmouth clash between Suarez and Chiellini, the replay seems to show that Suarez has bitten yet another player !!

After 81 minutes a corner from Gaston finds the head of Godin who puts a fine header into the corner of the net, Italy 0 Uruguay 1.

The last 10 minutes saw lots of moaning from the Italian bench, the Italians pushed forward to get the equaliser, but left large gaps at the back, but despite goal chances at both ends, no further goals came.

Uruguay go through, but all the talking is going to be about Suarez, it looks fairly conclusive that he did bite the Italian, which must mean the end of his World Cup, and without him I can't see Uruguay getting any further than the last 16.

sotonian

PS.

On Thursday 26th June FIFA found Suarez guilty of misconduct for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini and he has been suspended from all football-related activity for four months.

Suarez has also been banned for nine international matches, ruling him out of the rest of the World Cup.

channonite