Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of day eight of the 2014 Brazil World Cup.
As we have done for the previous seven days, we will be keeping you on top of the latest news, reaction and rumours to come out of yesterday's matches.
We also look ahead to the next set of games, which include's England massive clash against Uruguay in Group D, with both sides desperate for their first win to keep them in touch.
Hello all. Well, what a tournament we have had so far! After a thrilling first round of games, the second set of fixtures have shown as much attacking football as we have seen already. Last night saw the holders Spain knocked out, with both Chile and Netherlands through in Group B. Feast on some stories to have come out of that group last night:
You know it is not your day when Jose Mourinho feels the need to rub salt into your wounds, and that is exactly what has happened to Spain. He is right, of course, that the world champions did not adapt to reactive tactics from their opponents Spain and Netherlands, but it has a lot to do as well, for me, with the ageing process. It is time for Spain to regroup.
I'll wrap up Spain's misery now, I think. One last bit that just proves you cannot predict football. I'd fancy no-one at all put this bet on at 60/1:
Spain, of course, were not the only team knocked out of the tournament yesterday. Australia in the same group went with them, although with their heads held much higher. Cameroon also went home following a woeful 4-0 defeat to Croatia. It leaves three teams fighting for two places in Group A, and two teams fighting for top spot in Group B. Hopefully in several other groups we will have things going down to the last matchday.
Let's turn our attention to England for a while then, shall we? I'll round up the latest headlines shortly, but first why not get your teeth into our preview of the game. Have a read here.
So, England take on Uruguay with kickoff at 8pm tonight. Both teams lost their opening Group D games, which makes this one near enough must-win. Here is the latest from this morning and overnight...
Roy Hodgson confirms that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will not play against Uruguay
England's manager promises to attack Uruguay
Steven Gerrard: 'We'll treat game like cup final'
Oscar Tabarez: 'Luis Suarez not fully fit'
Uruguay captain Diego Lugano is ruled out of the clash through injury
Have you been wondering what ex-England player Kevin Davies has had to say about the Uruguay game? Of course you have.
Davies thinks that the game could come down to the personnel available. England have Oxlade-Chamberlain out, of course, but the striker believes that Uruguay missing Diego Lugano and Alvaro Pereira could be more telling.
As well as the opening-day Group D losers, the winners are also in action, although not until tomorrow. Costa Rica and Italy will know by then whether a win will be enough to qualify for the next round - that is if England and Uruguay draw, of course.
Here is our preview for that game, and there is some early build-up as well as Christian Bolanos says that the conditions in Recife, which tend to be tropical, will suit Costa Rica more than Italy.
A reminder, then, of the games taking place on day eight of the World Cup.
Group C:
Colombia vs. Ivory Coast - 5pm
Group D:
England vs. Uruguay - 8pm
That last graphic says a lot about the pressure that Wayne Rooney is under. Can he finally score after 10 games at World Cups? If you ask former England manager Glenn Hoddle, Rooney will be most effective played in a midfield three. It's a very unusual opinion, and I think it's safe to say that we will not find out tonight whether Rooney can indeed play in that position. Here's what Hoddle said.
More on the England attack, then, and words from Dutch legend Clarence Seedorf. He believes that Roy Hodgson should choose either Wayne Rooney or Daniel Sturridge to start against Uruguay, rather than play one of them out of position. I tend to agree, because there are better options on the left, that is not a call we at SM would like to make!
Another hour has ticked by and we are now three away from kickoff for the first international clash between Colombia and Ivory Coast at 5pm. A quick reminder of some of the headlines in a lead-up to that game:
Howard Webb to referee the clash
Cristian Zapata reminds his teammates that there is a long way to go yet
Didier Drogba expected to only make the bench again for the African side
Back to Spain for a moment, and Xabi Alonso is certainly not pulling any punches after his side's defeat to Chile last night. He believes that the dominant Spain side that we have seen over the last four or six years is finished. Seeing them play in the last two days, who really can blame him? This is an important time for Spain.
Ahead of England's massive clash tonight, Roy Hodgson has said that he is keen for the expectation to fall on more experienced players. He even mentioned Frank Lampard, so could we see an appearance from the former Chelsea man?
Here is what the manager had to say.
That's your lot from me today I'm afraid, folks. To take you further into the build-up for the Colombia match, which is now just two hours away, and beyond into the evening, is Darren Plant. Over to you, Darren.
Hi everyone! We have less than five hours to go until the headline match of the day (that's if you are following England or Uruguay), but for the time being, let me bring you some news away from the game in Sao Paulo. It involves Nigeria, who could reportedly be without four of their 23-man squad for their crucial encounter with Bosnia-Herzegovina on Saturday night.
Argentina failed to live up to the expectations of being one of the pre-tournament favourites when they struggled to overcome Bosnia-Herzegovina on Sunday evening, but they get another chance to show what they can do when they play Iran on Saturday. We have previewed the match here.
We should be getting word of the team news for the match between Colombia and Ivory Coast over the next 15 minutes. We will bring you up to speed as soon as we have the two starting lineups.
Another match taking place at the weekend is Germany's encounter with Ghana. Germany will move to the brink of qualification if they can beat the African nation, who can't afford a second defeat if they want to make progress in the competition. A preview of the match in Fortaleza can be found here.
TEAM NEWS! The Colombia and Ivory Coast team news is in. The most notable selection dilemma revolved around a potential start for Didier Drogba, but like with his nation's first fixture, he will start on the bench.
COLOMBIA XI: Ospina, Zuniga, Armero, Sanchez, Zapata, Yepes, Cuadrado, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Ibarbo
IVORY COAST XI: Barry, Aurier, Boka, Gonzaroua Die, Zokara, Bamba, Gradel, Tiote, Bony, Yaya Toure, Gervinho
IVORY COAST XI: Barry, Aurier, Boka, Gonzaroua Die, Zokara, Bamba, Gradel, Tiote, Bony, Yaya Toure, Gervinho
Iran will be hoping to pull over one of the greatest World Cup upsets of all time on Saturday when they face Argentina. The minnows drew with Nigeria on Monday evening, and striker Reza Ghoochannejhad has admitted that they will need to perform to their best to have a chance of gaining a result.
In the last of our previews for the time being, we have taken a look at Nigeria's match with Bosnia-Herzegovina in Group F, which you can see here.
Germany produced one of the performances of the tournament on Monday when they thrashed Portugal, but midfielder Mario Gotze isn't content. The Bayern Munich man believes that they should have netted more than four goals against their European compatriots. There's just no pleasing some people, is there?
It's still goalless in the game between Colombia and Ivory Coast, but it shouldn't be. Colombia's Teofilo Gutierrez has just squandered a glorious opportunity from no more than six yards out. Remember, you can keep track of the action by following Sports Mole's live commentary.
BREAKING NEWS! It's the news that we had all been expecting, but it has been confirmed that Luis Suarez will return from a knee injury to face England this evening.
It's half time in the match in Brasilia between Colombia and Ivory Coast and the two teams have gone into break still on level terms. Colombia have had the better of the action, with Teofilo Gutierrez wasting a chance from close-range, and it might not be long before we see Ivory Coast talisman Didier Drogba.
BREAKING NEWS! It is being reported that Roy Hodgson has retained the same starting lineup for England's match with Uruguay. More to follow.
GOAL! Colombia take the lead against Ivory Coast after a thumping header from James Rodriguez. That goal had been coming, too. There are 25 minutes remaining in that one.
Colombia have a second! The South American outfit capitalised on a mistake in midfield, and Juan Quintero made no mistake in slotting the ball past the goalkeeper from 12 yards. It's a long way back for Ivory Coast.
Hang on a minute - Ivory Coast are back in it! Gervinho has just scored a superb goal. You can keep track of the final 15 minutes by following Sports Mole's live commentary.
The full-time whistle has gone in Brasilia and Colombia have held on to secure a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. That should be enough for them to make the last 16, but they must wait for the result between Japan and Greece before they can begin to celebrate. On that note, I'm going to hand you over to Dan Lewis, who will take you through the next four hours. Over to you, Dan.
Cheers Darren! As mentioned, I'll be with you for the next four hours with updates from all across the World Cup, including the England - Uruguay game which kicks off in around 50 minutes time. The teams have been announced - which you can view here - while live commentary of the game will also be provided right here.
The big news from Uruguay's perspective is that Luis Suarez starts having overcome an injury to his knee. The Liverpool striker scored 31 times in the Premier League last season, and he will look to put La Celeste back on track following their shock 3-1 defeat against Costa Rica last time out.
Football governing body FIFA has tonight moved to ease security worries at World Cup venues following an incident at the Maracana last night which saw around 100 Chile supporters storm into the stadium's media centre.
KICK OFF! We're underway in Sao Paulo as England look to get their World Cup campaign back on track. Some worrying news ahead of the game, however, as 10 England supporters have reportedly been attacked in the city ahead of the contest.
UPDATE! Still goalless in Sao Paulo with a little over 30 minutes played. Remember you can follow live text commentary of the game right here.
GOAL! Luis Suarez fires Uruguay ahead after 39 minutes, heading past Joe Hart from close range.
HALF TIME! England trail Uruguay at half time courtesy of Luis Suarez's 39th-minute header. A full report from the first 45 minutes can be found here.
UPDATE! England are still a goal down courtesy of Luis Suarez's first-half header. After a slow start to the second period they've upped the tempo, but there's still been no breakthrough.
Earlier today Colombia took a huge step towards the last 16 with a 2-1 victory over Ivory Coast. Following the game Jose Pekerman warned his side not to get carried away following the victory. Sabri Lamouchi, meanwhile, argued that the African nation deserved at least a point in the Group C clash.
GOAL! England are level against Uruguay courtesy of Wayne Rooney who poked the ball home from close range. A potentially huge final 15 minutes ahead in Sao Paulo!
GOAL! Luis Suarez gets his second goal of the night to put Uruguay back into the lead. England in a perilous position right now with five minutes of normal time remaining. Follow live coverage of the game here.
FULL TIME! England have been defeated 2-1 in Sao Paulo in a game they simply couldn't afford to lose. Wayne Rooney cancelled out Luis Suarez's opener, but the Liverpool striker struck for a second time late on to leave the Three Lions World Cup hopes in tatters. A full report of the Group D clash can be found here.
Some reaction from England manager Roy Hodgson, who has admitted that the atmosphere in the Three Lions dressing room is "very low" following tonight's defeat. They need to pick themselves up quickly with their final game against Costa Rica right around the corner.
For those not too disheartened by the England result, there's still one more game to be played tonight with Japan taking on Greece in Natal. Team news to follow...
TEAM NEWS!
Japan: Kawashima; Uchida, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Konno; Hasebe, Yamaguchi, Honda, Okazaki; Okubo, Osako
Greece: Karnezis; Torosidis, Papasthathopoulos, Manolas, Holebas; Fetfetsidis, Katsouranis, Maniatis, Kone, Samaras, Mitroglou
Japan: Kawashima; Uchida, Yoshida, Nagatomo, Konno; Hasebe, Yamaguchi, Honda, Okazaki; Okubo, Osako
Greece: Karnezis; Torosidis, Papasthathopoulos, Manolas, Holebas; Fetfetsidis, Katsouranis, Maniatis, Kone, Samaras, Mitroglou
So the teams have been announced and we're now just 15 minutes away from kick off in third and final game of the day. You can follow SM's live text commentary from this Group C encounter here.
Well that's almost the end of my four-hour stint, which has seen England's hopes of progressing through to the last 16 almost completely shatter. It's still not officially over, of course, but even Hodgson was left feeling downbeat following the loss in Sao Paulo.
Alex Meyers will take you through the next three hours or so, while live text commentary of tonight's Group C clash between Greece and Japan can be found here. Over to you, Alex.
Thanks Dan! I'll be staying here with you until the end of our live coverage tonight, with the final match of the day now underway in Natal.
Did Uruguay deserve to win this evening's match against England? We've taken a closer look at what happened during the clash in Sao Paulo and you can read the Match Analysis here.
Rio Ferdinand has admitted that he is worried about England's defence, following their defeat against Uruguay this evening.
"As long as we continue to defend as we did tonight and against Italy then we'll struggle to progress. I didn't see many positives in that performance," he told BBC Sport.
HALF-TIME: The first 45 minutes between Greece and Japan have come to an end, with the game still goalless. Konstantinos Katsouranis has been sent off for the Greeks, which will make their task even harder in the second half. Here's our half-time report of all the key moments from Natal.
We've been looking back at England's defeat to Uruguay this evening and have had a look at which players made the biggest impact. Here are the Player Ratings from that clash in Sao Paulo.
I can tell you that the second half of the match between Greece and Japan is underway. Don't forget that we have a live commentary for that match, as we do with every World Cup clash this summer.
Italy manager Cesare Prandelli has hailed the impact that Mario Balotelli can make for the national side.
"If we look at the last four years, there are times where he was our weapon, the man who would take us to the moon, then two months later, he was not the same player," Prandelli told reporters.
Roy Hodgson has said that he will not stand down as England manager following the country's World Cup defeat against Uruguay.
"I don't have any intention to resign," he is quoted as saying by FIFA.com. "I'm bitterly disappointed, of course, but I don't feel I need to resign, no."
FULL-TIME: It's all over in Natal, with Japan and Greece picking up their first points of the World Cup following a goalless draw. Make sure you read our match report on the encounter.
Italy striker Mario Balotelli has demanded a kiss from the queen if his team defeats Costa Rica in the World Cup Friday. England need all the help they can get from the Italians following tonight's defeat and will back the AC Milan man to grab a few crucial goals.
England captain Steven Gerrard has said that his side did not deserve to lose against Uruguay this evening.
"It's a really tough moment for everyone in the dressing room but we need to be professional, keep fighting and pray for that scoreline to go for us," he said following the match.
Uruguay manager Oscar Tabarez has expressed his delight following his side's victory over England in their World Cup Group D match. He was also especially pleased at ending a long run of games without a win against European opposition.
Costa Rica manager Jorge Luis Pinto has admitted that he is aware of the damage that Italy midfielder Andrea Pirlo can cause to his team.
My colleague Simon Sinclair has been casting his eye on the action that took place during Japan's draw with Greece. You can read his analysis of everything that happened in Natal here.
Before we head off for the evening, here's a look at all of the fixtures taking place in the World Cup later today.
5pm: Italy vs. Costa Rica
8pm: Switzerland vs. France
11pm: Honduras vs. Ecuador
Well, that's all we've got time for here this evening. Thank you for joining us for today's live coverage of the World Cup and do remember that we will be back at 11am for another huge day of football. Until then, goodbye!
