Japan, Ivory Coast, Greece in 3-way fight
Natal: Four-time champions Italy admitted they are struggling with the weather conditions ahead of their clash with Uruguay here on Tuesday where they will try to avoid being eliminated in the first round at successive World Cups.
A win for the South Americans would send Cesare Prandelli’s side crashing out at the first hurdle, four years after bowing out at the group stage as then world champions in South Africa.
The Azzurri require just a draw to go through (thanks to a better goal difference), but after a lifeless display in a 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica, captain Gianluigi Buffon hinted that the hot and humid conditions have taken their toll.
Meanwhile, Costa Rica host England on Tuesday looking for their third consecutive group win having fought back from a goal down to stun Uruguay 3-1, before outplaying a visibly jaded Italy in Recife on Friday.
Uruguay bounced back from that shock reverse with a far improved performance to beat England 2-1 thanks to a Luis Suarez double.
England are already out of the running for a last-16 spot after two losses.
Over in Fortaleza, Yaya and Kolo Toure will have to shake off their grief over the death of their brother against Greece as they try to take Ivory Coast into the knock-out stages.
The Premier League pair were dealt a terrible blow with the news that their 28-year-old brother Ibrahim died of cancer in Manchester last week.
Last week’s 2-1 loss to Colombia means Ivory Coast’s progress is far from assured and they will need a win to make sure of reaching the knock-out stages for the first time.
The Colombians have secured their place in the next round, but will take on third-placed Japan in the last of the Group C matches.
Both Greece and Japan have a point each from a goalless draw between the two teams last week.
Japan are the only side playing on Tuesday outside the top 30 in the world. (AFP