WORLD CUP OPEN THREAD: DAY THIRTEEN

The Group Stage continues to wind down, with Groups C and D closing up shop today.  The morning action (or early afternoon, depending on your time zone) features Group D.  England is playing for nothing but pride, having already been eliminated on the back of consecutive 2-1 losses to Italy and Uruguay, while their opponent, Costa Rica, is trying to lock up an improbable spot atop the group.  In the other game, Italy and Uruguay are facing off for second place in the group and a spot in the knockout rounds.  Both teams are on three points, but Italy can advance with a win or a draw, while Uruguay needs a straight-up win to move on.

In the afternoon games, Colombia and Ivory Coast are locking to move onto the knockout rounds.  Colombia is already assured a spot in the next round and even a draw with Japan would see them go ahead as group-winners.  Meanwhile, Ivory Coast needs just a draw against Greece to lock up second place in the group.  So the games this afternoon might not be as frenetic and goal-packed as the games yesterday.  But with this World Cup, you never know...

TODAY'S GAMES:

Italy v. Uruguay (11 AM CT, ESPN and WatchESPN, Jon Champion and Stewart Robson)
Costa Rica v. England (11 AM CT, ESPN2 and WatchESPN, Ian Darke and Steve McManaman)

Japan v. Colombia (3 PM CT, ESPN and WatchESPN, Daniel Mann and Taylor Twellman)
Greece v. Ivory Coast (3 PM CT, ESPN2 and WatchESPN, Derek Rae and Kasey Keller)

The usual rules apply.