Italy 0, Uruguay 1: The Boring Battle of Natal sees Italy bitten and Uruguay through
A boring, ugly, sloppy, foul and mistake ridden game comes to “life” after Claudio Marchisio is sent off for raking the calf of Arevalo. This match however will likely be remembered as one of Italy’s most bitter World Cup exits, and the game when Luis Suarez appeared to bite another human being for the third time but didn’t get sent off.
Uruguay are through, but they will likely progress through the tournament as villains when they (likely) face Colombia in the round of 16.
The Goals
GOAL! Diego Godin (Uruguay) 81st min. A routine but perfect corner from Gaston Ramirez meets a crowd of players in white, with captain Godin shouldering in the goal. Uruguay find the edge against Italy with less than ten minutes left in the game. Ho-hum.
Man of the Match
Diego Godin? Scored the winner, was defensively aware for a difficult match. Really, no one came out particularly well after this one. At least Mario Balotelli was on the bench for the second half and avoided the fray. Godin marshalled the line well however and Italy never really seemed to threaten the Uruguayan goal, though I’m not sure that had a lot to do with Oscar Tabarez’s organizational skills and more with a tepid Italian attack.
The Controversies
Yes, a depressing plural.
In the 61st minute, Claudio Marchisio, possibly bored with the futility of it all, went in on a routine challenge, put his foot down, which happened to rake across the calf of one Egidio Arevalo. The referee Marco Rodriguez makes it 17 red cards in 24 matches, with Marchisio sent off. Some thought that it may have been a yellow, though Rodriguez was probably within his rights. It certainly helped the game perk up a little in the last half hour. A similar foul on Marco Verratti by Edinson Cavani, which saw the Italian player stretchered off and subbed, received nothing.
Then in the 78th minute, Luis Suarez appeared to headbutt/bite Giorgio Chiellini in the Italian box, after which Chiellini swung out. The referee did nothing whatsoever. Not exactly crystal clear initially from copious replays, but the photo evidence clearly shows something resembling bite marks. We’ll have to see what happens to Suarez after this match, but Italy will be aggrieved he remained on the pitch when Godin scored.
What did Uruguay do to win?
Not much in truth. A very conservative first half saw Uruguay’s attacking players very withdrawn against Italy, though defensively they did enough to force a few turnovers. A very negative display however didn’t involve any glaring defensive errors, and an opportune corner against ten man Italy did the trick. Uruguay conceded possession and didn’t complete a lot of passes. Marchisio’s sending off did invite some life and opened up space, though the goal came from a set-piece. It was probably a battle of whose defense was more disorganized. Italy took that prize, though neither team wasn’t exactly daring up front.
The Takeaway
Another European powerhouse leaves Brazil, and another South American side advances. Uruguay-Colombia could go any which way. What matters now though is how FIFA will deal with Luis Suarez’s apparent bite on Chilellini.
The 1,000 Words
Stray Thoughts
Thank god that’s over.
Mario Balotelli received a lot of stick in the first half but he looked positively zen compared to some of the players in the dying stages. Still, it's possible Uruguay were trying to wind him up early.
Ciro Immobile, who was touted a lot before this tournament began, had a very poor match in a game Italy absolutely needed to keep level or win. He was not quick on his feet, and failed to beat his man on one or two key occasions.
Andrea Pirlo had no effect really, except for a direct free kick that everyone thought would be indirect in the first half.
Again, thank heavens that’s over.