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World Cup

3rd & 7 37yd

HALFTIME. The Chile players huddle before walking off the pitch. An amazing first half. The two-time reigning European champsions and defending World Cup holders are one half away from elimination.

It's completely stunning: partially for the scoreline, but largely for the performance. Spain have looked slow, timid, and unsure. Chile have looked fast, strong, and decisive on the ball.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/18/2014 7:52:28 PM
The halftime music is EDM. I need to get out more.

by Brian Tracey via twitter 6/18/2014 8:02:49 PM
We're off again. Koke replaces Xabi Alonso.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/18/2014 8:05:27 PM
Spain look sharper and faster already. Iniesta slips a ball in for Costa between two Chilean defenders. Costa's effort is out for a corner. Bravo races off his line and punches it away. Jordi Alba collects and shots wide to the right with a low, left-footed shot.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/18/2014 8:09:28 PM
Mother of Alan Gross has died. Cuba officials refused to allow him a humanitarian leave to visit her, unlike U.S. furlough for @rene4the5

by NickMiroff via twitter retweeted by BrazilBrian 6/18/2014 8:11:23 PM
From Fusion, here's Chile's second goal. Casillas does exactly what he should not: push the ball straight back into the middle of the box.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/18/2014 8:12:09 PM
Ecstatic Chile fans. http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqcQIoSIgAIYg4T.jpg

by Brian Tracey via twitter 6/18/2014 9:06:40 PM
#Spain just became the 5th defending #WorldCup champion to be knocked out in the first round

by Todd Benson via twitter 6/18/2014 9:08:51 PM
Chilean fans storm media centre at Maracana #brazil2014 #worldcup reuters.com/article/idUSKB…

by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/18/2014 9:22:06 PM
Nice move by Ospina to come and block the breakaway shot.

by Brian Tracey via Reuters 6/19/2014 5:53:23 PM
Colombia's Juan Cuadrado (C) is challenged by Ivory Coast's Arthur Boka during their 2014 World Cup Group C soccer match at the Brasilia national stadium in Brasilia June 19, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hanna

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/19/2014 5:53:39 PM
Colombia takes the game 2-1. The Latin American World Cup continues...

by Brian Tracey 6/19/2014 5:56:08 PM
by Marathonbet via twitter 6/19/2014 5:56:24 PM
a good man in a tight spot! Vamos Inghilterra RT @ReutersArtsEnts : Keep calm...#uruvseng #uruguayvsengland #worldcup http://pbs.twimg.com/media/BqgxEecCAAA2Qnl.jpg

by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/19/2014 6:10:11 PM
.@simonhaydon super harsh. Las Chileanas sang us a song in return for a picture with el jefe,,, #justdoingmyjob

by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/19/2014 6:15:18 PM
Think you’re better than Wayne Rooney? The app that tests your skills
the GuardianEngland striker launches his own ‘Soccer Training’ app ahead of World Cup match against Uruguay. By Stuart Dredge

by Brian Tracey 6/19/2014 6:52:14 PM
A fan in face paint smiles before the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 19, 2014. REUTERS/Damir Sagolj

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/19/2014 6:52:42 PM
A Uruguay fan waits for the 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match between Uruguay and England at the Corinthians arena in Sao Paulo June 19, 2014. REUTERS/Ivan Alvarado

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/19/2014 6:56:32 PM
Baines keeps his place for England?? You must be kidding me

by David Ljunggren via twitter 6/19/2014 6:59:44 PM
And we're off.

by Brian Tracey via Reuters 6/19/2014 7:00:24 PM
England Soccer Club and the Uruguys are about to soccer it off for 3 World Cup victory points. #soccer

by Soccer Guy via twitter 6/19/2014 7:04:45 PM
Costa Rica's Oscar Duarte fouls Italy's Claudio Marchisio (front) during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

by Eric Martyn 6/20/2014 4:22:55 PM
More than 1 #Ita player reported having hallucinations towards the end of that Manaus game. May have learned lesson about conserving energy

by Paolo Bandini via twitter 6/20/2014 4:24:51 PM
Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gestures during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against Costa Rica at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

by Eric Martyn 6/20/2014 4:25:29 PM
For the second time in the last few minutes, Italy look to play a pass to Balotelli over the top of the Costa Rican defense. This time he's flagged for offside, which he wasn't. The previous time he was dispossessed by two defenders.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:27:11 PM
Costa Rica's Joel Campbell (L) fights for the ball with Italy's Alessio Cerci during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

by Eric Martyn 6/20/2014 4:28:29 PM
Italy's Matteo Darmian (R) and Costa Rica's Joel Campbell fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:31:44 PM
Two chances for Italy. The first one is a GREAT CHANCE FOR BALOTTELLI. Pirlo plays an amazing first time ball for the striker that curls over and around at least five Costa Ricans. Balotelli is in on goal, but takes a bit of a heavy first touch. He tries to chip the ball over Navas but it trickles wide.

Two minutes later, Pirlo floats the ball into Motta. Motta heads it on to Balotelli, who collects and shoots low and hard, but at Navas. Balotelli was offside when he received the ball, but it's not called. Italy, or more specifically, Pirlo and Balotelli, are finding a rhythm here.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:36:01 PM
Italy's Mario Balotelli (top) and Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

by Eric Martyn 6/20/2014 4:36:39 PM
Italy's Mario Balotelli (top) and Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez fight for the ball during their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:42:14 PM
Borges wins the ball in midfield off De Rossi who drops the ball off to Ruiz. He runs at the Italians, and they all back off, so he shots low from about 30 yards. It's not great at all and Buffon saves easily.

But Ruiz can really strike the ball: Italy can't afford to keep giving him chances like that.

And then Joel Campbell does really well to win a corner. Diaz plays an early ball into Campbell at the near post, Chiellini is down to challenge him for him. Buffon punches the corner away, but then the ball comes to Ruiz on the right. He finds Duarte free in the box, but his header is over the top. Italy look very sloppy right now.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:43:51 PM
COSTA RICA penalty appeal. Campbell breaks through onto goal and gets taken down by Chiellini in the box. That looked like an obvious penalty. The referee tells Campbell to get up. The entire Costa are incensed!

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:45:20 PM
GOAL COSTA RICA! Brian Ruiz heads a Diaz cross in from deep, wide left. It's a great cross and a great header: hits the underside of the crossbar, and bounces down. It looks like it's in but it bounces back into play. Goal line technology pop up and is useful for the first time this tournament! It's a goal. The ball crossed the line and bounced fully inside the goal. That's a great cross and great header.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:50:04 PM
HALFTIME. COSTA RICA 1 - 0 ITALY.

And as it stands, England are out of the World Cup.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:50:57 PM
A Costa Rica fan records on her mobile phone before their 2014 World Cup Group D soccer match against Italy at the Pernambuco arena in Recife June 20, 2014. REUTERS/Dominic Ebenbichler

by Eric Martyn via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:57:06 PM
Here's the goal! Bryan Ruiz scores anCosta Rica are up 1-0.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 4:58:42 PM
The moment before the ball hits the crossbar and lands over the line. REUTERS/Ruben Sprich

by Eric Martyn edited by walsh.benjamin 6/20/2014 4:58:50 PM
Costa Rica huddle before kickoff. What a result this would be if they could hold on. And then the get things rolling.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 5:05:08 PM
Italy are after a goal here. They've taken Candreva off and out Insigne on.

For Costa Rica, it's Tejeda off, Cubero in.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 5:31:10 PM
Costa Rica sub: Ruiz, the goal-scorer and for the moment national hero, is off. Brenes is on.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 5:40:12 PM
Italy putting some pressure on Costa Rica but creating no dangerous chances. England are on the verge of elimination. Costa Rica are on the verge of qualifying for the knockout rounds of the World Cup.

If the results holds, they will have advanced by beating two of the world's top ten teams. Amazing.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 5:46:42 PM
In World Cup, Portunol is the loving tongue #brazil2014 reuters.com/article/idUSKB…

by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/20/2014 5:48:30 PM
Sponsors back Spain after shock World Cup exit #brazil2014 reuters.com/article/idUSKB…

by Ossian Shine via twitter 6/20/2014 5:49:15 PM
Italy win a corner. It's touched wide. Four minutes of added time.

by walsh.benjamin via Reuters 6/20/2014 5:49:30 PM
Very poor Italy - could join Spain and England on the Euro scrap heap.

by Simon Evans via twitter 6/20/2014 5:53:03 PM