Italy, Costa Rica Face Off in World Cup | WPN World People News

World Cup soccer action continues Friday in Brazil, with Italy taking on Costa Rica in a key Group D matchup.

Costa Rica is coming off a stunning 3-1 win over Uruguay while Italy opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over England. Whoever wins Friday's match in Recife will secure a spot in the round of 16, also known as the knockout round.

In other action, Switzerland and France face off in Salvador in a Group E matchup. Both teams won their World Cup openers. Also in Group E, Honduras and Ecuador battle it out in Curitiba, where a loss by either team would end all hope of qualifying for the next round.

On Thursday, Colombia earned a 2-1 win over Ivory Coast in Brasilia to secure a spot in the round of 16.

Greece and Japan each earned a point in Group C after battling to a scoreless draw.

In a Group D match in Sao Paulo, Uruguay kept its round of 16 hopes alive with a 2-1 win over England.

Striker Luis Suarez, who missed Uruguay's opening loss to Costa Rica while recovering from knee surgery, made an instant impact in his return. His header in the 39th minute gave Uruguay a 1-0 lead, and his shot into the roof of the goal in the 85th minute snapped a 1-1 tie for the game winner.

The defeat left England on the brink of elimination. The last time England failed to reach the second round of the World Cup was in 1958.

Uruguay's Suarez previously starred for Liverpool in the English Premier League. He scored his second goal after England's Wayne Rooney provided the equalizer in the 75th minute.

Source: Voice of America