21/06/2014 Match of the Day

Hello and welcome to the best of yesterday's action from here in

Brazil. We have got three games for you. Both matches in Group E, that's

France gets Switzerland and Honduras versus Equador. Every England fan

was hoping that Italy could do us a favour against Costa Rica.

Not since 1990 have Italy won their opening gro group games of the World

Cup Finals, but it would keep England's slight hopes flickering.

No real surprise that Gianluigi Buffon returns to the Italian team.

One of three changes from the team that beat England. Balotelli

requested two kisses from the Queen if he helps Italy to victory today.

The unchanged Costa Rica team. It is the team that beat Uruguay 3-1. All

eyes on Campbell. His tenth international goal. Can his team

take it to a different level again today?

It needed the challenge. Good cover there. All three central defenders

are up for this. What an inviting one. Gianluigi Buffon didn't get

there. Fantastic delivery. Gianluigi Buffon nowhere near it. More

conviction. Got to put that into the empty net. Only one previous meeting

between these two countries 20 years ago. Italy won a friendly 5-0 scored

by Giuseppe Signori. The shot was dragged horribly wide.

Early from Pirlo. A chance for Balotelli. He can't take it. They

were off their sofas in England at that moment! The former Manchester

City man couldn't take the opportunity. What a ball from Pirlo.

The keep came rushing out. You have got to do better, Mario. You must

score. Pir lo. Switching play to Abate. There is no flag. Balotelli

again. Denied brilliantly by the goalkeeper Navas. He is off side.

Costa Rica had their warning. Just a minute ago. Suddenly Italy have come

to life. Time to assess the situation. It is

They are becoming stretched again. Umana for Costa Rica. A good shot

from Gianluigi Buffon. Bolanos has been a threat. We head into the

final five minutes of this goalless first-half. The scoreline, as if you

needed reminding, if it is like that at the end of 90 minutes it would

eliminate England from the competition. Every delivery towards

Campbell. Campbell's run tries to get across.

There is the header. It is just over the top. Good play from Costa Rica

winning the second ball. Buffon is stranded. Oh that was slack again.

It is Campbell. He is all alone. The referee tells Campbell to get back

on his feet and says no penalty. Jorge Luis Pinto is going bananas

oun there at the -- down there at the fourth official. It is shocking.

It has to be a penalty. It's a penalty! What's the referee seeing

there? With England's flickering hopes,

they are still just about there. Campbell switching play. There is

space for Diaz again. Costa Rica with a minute to half-time take the

lead through Fulham's Brian Ruiz. A great header. The ball is over the

line. They've got their rewards! A big 45 minutes ahead for the

Italians. Navas got a fingertip to that. Yeah, from inside. Descent

strike. Fingertips from the goalkeeper, but a good, positive

start for the Italians. Italy, who scored in each and every one of

their last 15 World Cup games and they need to score in this one. An

illegal challenge. It is an Italy free-kick. It is a free-kick. A

silly challenge. Now, it is Pirlo with the free-kick. We have seen the

one against England. He has the technique. We need to witness a

moment of Pirlo magic. Here he comes. Look how he hits it with the

front of his foot. A little deflection off-the-wall. Not much

swerve on that one like we have seen again England, but the keeper sent

it out into a safe area. There is still plenty of football to be

played in this one. The Costa Rican fans are in full voice because Costa

Rica have been brilliant with and without the ball.

What a job that man has done. His motto, you know, is the braver the

ball, the better the ball fight! They have been braver than most in

their two games so far. Italy are taking chances. Leaving

gaps. No real conviction there. You cannot deny Costa Rica their day.

No. Every single department they have been better. Second balls,

first up to the challenge. Great goal. Should have had a penalty.

That had Buffon scampering across his goal. He tries to bend one in

the top corner. So, so close. When Group D was drawn, England, Italy,

Uruguay were the nations thought to be competing for the last two places

in the last 16. Nobody expected this to be the scenario. There it is,

Costa Rica, for just the second time in their history are through to the

last 16th World Cup. -- 16 of the World Cup. What a story. The central

Americans with a population of less than five million people have

followed their victory over Uruguay by beating Italy, the four times

winners. Brian Ruiz of Fulham the goal scorer. The Costa Ricans are

pinching themselves. Italy nil, Costa Rica one and it is goodbye

England because the group tabled does not make good reading. The

first time ever that England have been eliminated from the World Cup

after the first two group matches. It is Costa Rica who celebrate being

in the last 16, for only the second time in their history with six

points and it means that Italy and Uruguay will play off for the second

place in the third match. Costa Rica were sensational? Yes, of

course, they caught everybody by surprise. They beat three teams in

the group. We didn't know Costa Rica would be one of them, did we? They

have been outstanding, the formation, the tempo, the way

they've passed the ball. They have done their homework on the

opposition. They look fresh which is very important. The confidence is

high. You can see how they passing the ball around. Italy today,

whether it was the conditions or playing a hard game against England,

they looked flat and they looked very leggy and Costa Rica deserved

their win. Tempo that Costa Rica played at, did that show what

England should have done against Italy? I thought we played a good

tempo against Italy. I thought we worked harder. We were naive. Costa

Rica looked more solid. They are successful out here. Whatever Italy

tried to do, yeah, Balotelli had a couple of chances in the first-half,

whatever they tried to do, Costa Rica were there and read the

situation and at one stage the crowd were singing when they passed it

around and we never thought that Costa Rica would be making Italy

chase for a football. Is the evidence showing this is going to be

a World Cup for South America, for Central America? Yeah, definitely. I

said coming out it would be an an advantage. I thought it would suit

Spain, climate, humidity and the way they kick the ball and make the

move. They are on their way home. It is hard for the European teams like

Holland who play high tempo, who are trying to play high tempo, they are

vulnerable at the back. We saw France play a bit and they looked

good. There is European teams who can have a big say who is going to

win this tournament. As far as Italy and Uruguay are

concerned, that's the crucial game now, forget Costa Rica, England,

nothing matters. Who would you favour? Will Uruguay change the side

again? Will he freshen it up? The team is doing well. I look at it and

think Luis Suarez, 50% he was against England. His appetite for

the game never changes, but after not playing since 11th May and

playing against England, I think his legs will be stiff. They will be

relying more on another player to step forward. He should and could

have scored, but they will be looking more from him. At this

minute, Italy will be confident about getting a draw. Day nine and

England have gone. Does that increase your anger. We do not seem

to learn lessons. It looks ugly at times. Not every team plays fast

flowing for all. A lot of these teams are very compact and genuine.

And they get a result. We have coming with an adventurous team

which is lovely to see. Some of the players are good and could be great.

But we are learning. They are naive. We are very naive on how we

performed in this tournament. The locals are loving your answers! Roy

Hodgson, is he in trouble? People will be saying he is not a man. He

has always been quite zonal and compact. I think with the attacking

opposites we have had, he has been forced into it. If you do not go

goals you will pay the price. And we have. So will he take a step back

and think he will not be as adventures next time, he probably

will be in the Europe qualifiers. Now Honduras and Ecuador to come.

But first France against Switzerland.

The helicopter hovers above giving a glimpse of the Atlantic Ocean. A

seaside city. Ten goals in two matches in this stadium so far. Can

these two provides another goal -fest. Switzerland have made two

changes to their side. The three-man attacking midfield.

Certainly capable of causing the French some problems.

France have also made a couple of changes.

France have 20 of quality in the starting XI. Especially in midfield.

-- plenty of quality. Switzerland have never before won their opening

two matches in the World Cup. And France won their opening matches and

went on to win the whole thing. These are problematic moments for

the Swiss defence. Benzema. Benzema again with space in which to work.

An encouraging start for France. That was a high boot from Olivier

Giroud. That would have stung, no doubt about that.

It is a disappointing end to the game for Steve Von Bergen. No

shortage of experience. The fans try to keep up the

entertainment levels from the stands in the absence of any clear attempts

on the goal so far. A sliding challenge from Olivier Giroud.

Corner for France. They have had the running so far.

They have dominated possession. Can they turn it into something a little

better. Valbuena to take this corner kick. The goalkeeper reached for it

but Olivier Giroud has just managed to squeeze it pass. And France have

the only goal that their early form rather demanded.

Olivier Giroud picking up place right at the back. Finding a

position to get in a very strong header. The question before this

game was how good are the front -- the French. They have not been

tested through the tournament. But against the Swiss they have started

superbly well. France have a 2-nil lead! The man they call the Marathon

man is doing it at a sprint for France. 18 minutes played. A mistake

giving France possession back again. And what about that for a finish

from Matuidi. There 101st World Cup goal.

Benzema attacking again. Just tried to push it through. There were 66

seconds between those two French goals.

Here is an opportunity. Right across the face of goal! Very close for

Switzerland. Given away by the French in the middle. It was a

sharpish response. The goalkeeper just got fingers to that.

The path is dreadful. That whole but they left exploited by Benzema. --

that hole that they left. And the referee had a good line of vision

and points to the spot. Benzema tantalising and teasing. And when

Olivier Giroud came across with the challenge they lost contact. They

like their penalties at World Cup finals, difference. Benzema looking

for his third of the tournament. He is denied. The follow-up of the

woodwork. And the Swiss have an escape. This was survive -- the

Swiss survive. Here comes Rodriguez with a corner.

Benzema. Look at the space they have got here now. Olivier Giroud with

pace and time and rolls it in for a third goal! It is the little man,

Valbuena. France have three, they are on their way. The Swiss torn

apart. Giving the ball away in their own half. Benzema takes control. And

off they go. There is a sting in every French

attack, it seems. They missed a penalty in amidst all of this but

they still lead by three goals to nil with five minutes of the first

half remaining. It is painful to watch for Swiss

eyes. You would not want them to throw away all the good work of the

last few years. There is an opportunity, the first touch a

little too heavy. And took that chance away from him. But a glimmer

of hope for Switzerland, finding a way through this French defence.

That first touch just ballooned it away. Here is Cissokho. -- Sissoko.

And an opportunity for Benzema. His third World Cup goal. They are

flying through to the last 16. The Swiss defence in tatters again.

Benzema clearly onside and goes between the legs of the goalkeeper.

They are enjoying every moment of their time in Brazil.

It is thinking time for the experienced coach. He will have seen

situations like this before. How do his players respond.

The finish was almost there. Patrice Evra came along way to get in that

position. The French now playing this in such an easy way.

They have got the numbers again here. Sissoko! It is five goals for

the French. Welcome to the party. They are having a ball. So easy on

the eye. And France laying down a marker in these World Cup finals.

They just unpick this Swiss defence. Sissoko with another fine finish.

Friends sharing the goals around. 2006 was a nightmare for the French

but this is something of a dream start to 2014. The stadium buzzing

now. And it has seen more than its fair share of goals so far. 15 goals

in the three World Cup matches played here, and counting. The

goalkeeper saves the shot from Valbuena.

Benzema. And again! Senderos books it away. The Swiss somehow survive.

Friends would expect to get through but let us not get ahead of

ourselves. -- France. And what about that from all of 30 yards! A

thunderous effort. And that has caught them by surprise. Switzerland

have a goal back. It is too little, too late to rescue their pride

today, but it gives them a little momentum sure for the rest of this

tunment. The highest -- tournament, the highest number of goals in a

World Cup match and the Swiss were involved. They lost 7-5 against

Austria. Oh, another classic finish. It is

raining goals here now! There is only three minutes left to play. 5-2

is quite a scoreline! The man who made the run was on side. A descent

goal in an otherwise lost cause. Oh! That's the way you finish!

The referee has blown his whistle here. I'm not sure if this stands.

Have a look at the referee here. I think he blows the whistle there. So

just before he takes aim and the whistle does not count. So Benzema.

But France have still won an extraordinary game by 5-2.

Here is the welcome for Honduras in and Ecuador. The he Equadorian fans

outnumber Honduras. There are some very familiar names

from Ecuador including Montero along with the captain, Valencia.

The more they see the ball, the greater the opportunity for Ecuador

to win. All seemed to be going well for Ecuador in their opening match

when they took the lead against Switzerland and conceded twice. The

agony of that goal for the Swiss gave Ecuador no chance of recovery.

Now, Montero. Ecuador have a very good start to their qualifying. They

only won one of their last six, but that game over Uruguay all but

secured the final automatic qualifying place. And if Valencia is

on side. The assistant's flag stayed down. It was just that final

pressure from Izaguirre. It is Espinoza. He has a reputation

for scoring goals. His eyes would have lit up briefly. It is a

Honduran corner. It is one good chance a piece now. There is that

familiar ball forward. Honduras are in front! The big man delivers. It

is their first World Cup goal in over 400 minutes from the left foot

of Costly. The deflection is awkward and it's

in! Valencia. Ecuador weren't behind for long. There is the shot. A

deflection. Took it into the path of Valencia and whilst he was on the

front foot, Bernardez was flat footed and that made the difference.

A challenge from Figueroa. A little bit of opposition on the way. A

free-kick here. There will be nothing intricate

about this man's delivery. This is a real run and blast. I wouldn't want

to be in yellow in that wall! Oh, it's a good save. Dominguez's hands

were strong enough. He really caught hold of that.

Costly. That's in! The flag stayed down from the assistant. But the

referee has given the free-kick. We've got controversy here. Let's

see now. Costly with the header. Well, he is off side, isn't he?

A risky challenge from Figueroa. A little tap. Just minimal contact

there. Tough for the officials to spot. A mistake by Claros.

It is another Equadorian corner. This will be their 11th of the game.

It A free-kick. A great position for

Ecuador. Ayovi and Montero for the free-kick. It's in. He has done it

again. Valencia! I swear you can hear the roars back home. A fine

header from Valencia. Recovery is complete! Enough time for Honduras

yet. Beckeles and Figueroa. He is going to have a pop from there and

why not? It looks like it is heading for the

top corner. It's all over. Valencia delivers Ecuador into the World Cup.

They have beaten Honduras by 2-1, but all Four Nations in Group E

still alive at Brazil 2014. So that's Group E done and dusted.

You were impressed with the French, weren't you? The French have got a

good system and talented young players and the good thing about

France is they have sorted out the politics and they are a squad which

are pulling together and I have always said if you get the French in

the good frame of mind, they will give anybody a game. We see

Argentina and Germany in action, you expect them to continue their

winning ways? Germany have talented players. Coming into the tournament,

I wasn't a fan of Germany, there were a lot of injuries. Again, they

turn up at tournaments and they seem to have this tournament mentality

where they just turn up and see the prize and go for it. At the minute,

I think they were gifted the game against Portugal with Pepe's sending

off, but you would expect Germany to be in the second round in

quarterfinals and whoever has to play them will be in for a tough

game. Argentina need to work out, I suppose, the best way to get their

players to get the best out of Messi? Well, they have got to play

three attacking players. Then you balance the team around those three

because they will score, cre at and win you football matches. I don't

think they have got a great goalkeeper. I don't think they have

got a great back four and back three. I don't think the defence is

great which, if the front three are not firing, that could cost them in

later rounds. That's it. Thank you very much for

watching. Two live games on BBC One later. Germany against Ghana

followed by Bosnia against Nigeria and we will have highlights of those

tomorrow as well. Bye-bye. COMMENTATOR: Oh, I don't believe

this. On the bar and Suarez is on the end

of it. Luis Suarez gives Uruguay the lead.

Rooney is there. It is Luis Suarez. Luis Suarez has thumped it in.

A chance for Balotelli. It in towards Brian Ruiz and Costa Rica

take the lead and it is a killer goal for England.