It was a stellar Monday at the World Cup as both Groups A and B came to a conclusion.
Hosts Brazil topped Group A by thrashing Cameroon, while the Netherlands scored twice late on to beat Chile and finish atop Group B with a 100 percent record.
Mexico also got in on the act as they beat Croatia to advance to the last 16 for the sixth-straight World Cup. El Tri will now face the Netherlands, while Brazil play Chile in two mouth-watering knockout matches.
[ MORE: How will U.S. lineup vs. Germany ]
[ MORE: Soccerly covers the World Cup ]
Two more group finales are in store on Tuesday, as Italy and Uruguay battle it out for the final Round of 16 spot in Group D, while everything is up for grabs in Group C. Let’s take a look at what’s in store today:
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MATCH 39: Italy vs. Uruguay
Location: Estadio das Dunas, Natal
Time: Noon ET
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Cheater’s Guide
With a win, both teams can advance to the knockout rounds. Their entire World Cup campaigns come down to this match. For Uruguay, it is win in or bust. Simple. As for Italy, a draw would see them through to the last 16 due to their superior goal difference but they have to stop red-hot Luis Suarez.
What they’re saying
Luis Suarez on Uruguay’s respect for Italy: “From last year’s Confederations Cup I know how organised they are. If you leave them just an inch they will make you pay. But they have weaknesses as well as strengths, and we will try to exploit those weaknesses. We expect Italy to be tough opponents, but we know what’s at stake and we are going out there to qualify.”
History
The two nations have played each other nine times, with Uruguay edging out Italy with three wins to two.
Premier League Players
Uruguay: Luis Suárez, Sebastian Coates (both Liverpool), Gastón Ramírez (Southampton)
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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MATCH 40: Costa Rica vs. England
Location: Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte
Time: Noon ET
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Cheater’s guide
England are out of the World Cup and have made nine changes to the team which lost to Uruguay. The Three Lions will be hoping to not bow out with a whimper. As for Costa Rica, they know a win will likely see them top the group.
What they’re saying
Roy Hodgson on giving the youngsters a chance vs. Costa Rica: “With a very different team and a lot of players who haven’t played in the tournament so far, I wanted everyone to go home from this tournament -- or at least as many as possible -- having taken part and played in a game, not just training. We’re very conscious of the fact that our fans are as disappointed and devastated as we are, but they are still here supporting us.
History
The two nations have never met.
Premier League players
22 of England’s 23-man squad play in the Premier League.
Costa Rica: Joel Campbell (Arsenal)
MLS players
Costa Rica: Roy Miller (New York Red Bulls), Waylon Francis, Giancarlo Gonzalez (both Columbus Crew)
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MATCH 41: Japan vs. Colombia
Location: Arena Pantanal, Cuiaba
Time: 4pm ET
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Cheater’s Guide
Japan need to win to make it through to the last 16 of the World Cup, while Colombia will rest several key players ahead of the knockout stages. The Samurai Blue will be going for broke in this one.
What they’re saying
Japan star Keisuke Honda believes in miracles: “Of course there is still a possibility of advancing to the next round. We can’t qualify now without relying on external forces, but I believe in miracles and I am focused on us beating Colombia.”
History
These sides have met twice before, with Colombia winning 1-0 in the 2003 Confederations Cup and the two teams drawing 0-0 in a friendly back in ’07.
Premier League Players
Japan: Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United) Maya Yoshida (Southampton)
RELATED: World Cup news, analysis from Soccerly
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MATCH 42: Greece vs. Ivory Coast
Location: Estadio Castelao, Fortaleza
Time: 4pm ET
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Cheater’s guide
Both teams are in with a shout of making the last 16, with Ivory Coast in the driving seat. They know a win will secure a spot in the knockout stages for the first time in history and they come up against a Greek team that has yet to score in the World Cup... but somehow has a chance of making it through.
What they’re saying
Greece’s manager Fernando Santos on their offensive struggles: “We have to score goals. I don’t care who does it. If it is (goalkeeper Orestis) Karnezis, that’ll be fine with me. We have to show the qualities that got us here. The Ivory Coast is a strong team with good players. But we are strong too and we got here on merit ... talk of anything else is just a distraction.”
History
The two nations have never met.
Premier League players
Greece: None.
Ivory Coast: Wilfried Bony (Swansea City), Cheick Tioté (Newcastle), Kolo Touré (Liverpool), Yaya Touré (Manchester City)
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