Thursday, 19 June 2014 - Didier Droga has already proved he should never be written off as Ivory Coast carry a continent's hopes. Uruguay and England, Japan and Greece are must-win face-offs.
Group C: Colombia vs Ivory Coast
The first game of the day in Brasilia, with both sides buoyed by opening day wins in Group C.
Colombia may not quite have the dash of Chile but they could prove to be South America's surprise package, thrashing Greece 3-0 in their first game with a pulsating display that belied the absence of top striker Radamel Falcao.
African teams are again flattering to deceive but Ivory Coast are looking like their best hope after a 2-1 win over Japan inspired by veteran Didier Drogba.
Head to Head games
This will be the first ever game between Colombia and Ivory Coast.
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Colombia: Rank: 8 Points: 1137
Ivory Coast: Rank: 23 Points: 809
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Colombia
Second in CONMEBOL Group with 30 points (P16 W9 D3 L4 GF27 GA13)
Ivory Coast
First in CAF Group C with 14 points (P6 W4 D2 L0 GF15 GA5)
Play-off v Senegal (First in CAF Group J): Ivory Coast 3 - 1 Senegal, Senegal 1 - 1 Ivory Coast
Colombia's record against African sides at the World Cup is W1 D0 L1.
Colombia coach José Pekerman's first game at the World Cup as manager was in charge of Argentina against Ivory Coast in 2006 His side won 2-1.
Colombia have never gone unbeaten in back-to-back World Cup matches and have never won more than 1 game at any World Cup.
James Rodriguez has now scored three times in his last three international games.
Captain Mario Yepes will win his 100th cap.
Ivory Coast's two previous World Cup games against South American sides both ended in defeats.
Didier Drogba has scored both Ivory Coast's goals against South American sides at the World Cup (v Argentina in 2006 and v Brazil in 2010).
Group D: England vs Uruguay
The mother of all must-not-lose encounters could see the return of hitman Luis Suarez but will he be fit enough to send England all-but-packing?
Don't forget England face Costa Rica in their final group game and although the central Americans fully deserved their win over Uruguay, you wouldn't want World Cup survival to come down to facing the Italians. That makes the pressure on Uruguay, semifinalists four years ago, that much greater.
Much could depend on whether Roy Hodgson keeps the same line-up and formation or switches Wayne Rooney, still England's most dangerous player like him or loathe him, to the No. 10 slot.
Head to Head games
31/05/53 Uruguay v England 2-1 (International)
26/06/54 Uruguay v England 4-2 (World Cup)
06/05/64 England v Uruguay 2-1 (International)
11/07/66 England v Uruguay 0-0 (World Cup)
08/06/69 Uruguay v England 1-2 (International)
15/06/77 Uruguay v England 0-0 (International)
13/06/84 Uruguay v England 2-0 (International)
22/05/90 England v Uruguay 1-2 (International)
29/03/95 England v Uruguay 0-0 (International)
01/03/06 England v Uruguay 2-1 (International)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Uruguay: Rank: 7 Points: 1147
England: Rank: 10 Points: 1090
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Uruguay
Fifth in CONMEBOL Group with 25 points (P16 W7 D4 L5 GF25 GA25)
Play-off v Jordan (AFC Group): Jordan 0 - 5 Uruguay, Uruguay 0 – 0 Jordan
England
First in UEFA Group H with 22 points (P10 W6 D4 L0 GF31 GA4)
England have scored in every one of their last 8 World Cup encounters with South American sides.
Daniel Sturridge has scored 3 goals in his last 4 appearances for England.
Wayne Rooney has not yet scored a World Cup goal. If he plays, this will be his 10th game.
They last met in a friendly in March 2006 at Anfield. England won 2-1 with goals by Peter Crouch and Joe Cole.
Only 4 teams have progressed to the last 16 after losing their opening game since the current World Cup format was introduced in 1998.
Group C: Japan vs Greece
Defeat for either side will surely mean elimination. Japan arrived in Brazil as the first nation to qualify and as dangerous floaters but let a lead slip to the Ivorians.
They, just like Greece, will be keen to make amends in what could be a tight affair. Japan are the more technically gifted outfit but Greece will surely tighten up after conceding three against Colombia - one fewer than in their entire qualifying campaign.
It may be time for "Mitrogoal", otherwise known as Kostas Mitroglou and Greece's most expensive export, to start after hitting the bar as a sub last week.
Head to Head games
19/06/2005 Greece v Japan 0-1 (Confederations Cup)
FIFA Ranking (June 5th 2014)
Japan: Rank: 46 Points: 626
Greece: Rank: 12 Points: 1064
World Cup 2014 Qualifying
Japan
First in AFC Group B with 17 points (P8 W5 D2 L1 GF16 GA5)
Greece
Second in UEFA Group G with 25 points (P10 W8 D1 L1 GF12 GA4)
Play-off v Romania: Greece 3 - 1 Romania, Romania 1 - 1 Greece
Japan and Greece have never previously met in the World Cup..
Greece have lost 6 of their 7 World Cup matches.
Greece have failed to score in 6 of their 7 World Cup matches.
Greece have failed to keep a clean sheet in their 7 World Cup matches.
Keisuke Honda is Japan top-scorer in the World Cup with 3 goals.
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