Seems that others have neglected the match threads for today, possibly due to the disappointment of last night's result. So this game should be a good one in its own right, with an experienced Italian side facing a vibrant Costa Rica one. Obviously, most of us as England fans know that an Italy win is the only think that matters, but lets hope it is a good game anyway. Team news later on.
Actually, an Italy win isn't all that matters ... we want a narrow Italy win, so they need to get a result against Uruguay to ensure that they don't go out on GD.
Have you seen Costa Rica and their rising star Joel Campbell, even if we go into that game with a glimmer of hope, long range shot from Campbell just to further embarrass England with Bryan Ruiz to finish us off and become the third premier league striker to score a winning goal against England after Mario and Suarez!
Forza Italia. Balotelli posted on twitter that if Italy win today, queen Elizabeth owes him a kiss hahaha.
Last time we needed a favour from another team, Israel pulled through for us and beat Russia. All we had to do was draw with the already-qualified Croatia at Wembley...
Italy: Buffon, Darmian, Barzagli, Chiellini, Abate, Thiago Motta, De Rossi, Candreva, Pirlo, Marchisio, Balotelli. Subs: Sirigu, De Sciglio, Cassano, Cerci, Aquilani, Immobile, Parolo, Bonucci, Paletta, Insigne, Verratti, Perin. Costa Rica: Navas, Gamboa, Umana, Duarte, Diaz, Gonzalez, Ruiz, Borges, Tejeda, Bolanos, Campbell. Subs: Pemberton, Acosta, Myrie, Barrantes, Francis, Granados, Brenes, Miller, Calvo, Urena, Cubero, Cambronero.
