In total, day three of the 2014 World Cup saw 13 goals and one potential candidate for goal of the tournament. Colombia’s James Rodriguez, Italy’s Mario Balotelli and Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell were just a few of the players responsible for Saturday’s onslaught of offensive efficiency.
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Below are highlights of all 13 goals and brief recaps of each result.
Goals: Colombia—Armero 5' Gutierrez 58' James 90'+3
Colombia's potency shined brighter than the ambiance at Estadio Mineirao on Saturday. Goals from Pablo Armero, Teofilo Gutierrez and James Rodriguez saw the national team capture a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Greece. With the win, Colombia sits atop Group C with three points and are in a prime position to advance to the Round of 16.
Goals: Uruguay—Cavani 24' (penalty); Costa Rica—Campbell 54' Duarte 57' Ureña 84'
Despite the odds, despite all pundits picking against them, the Costa Rican national team was able to endure and tactically frustrate Uruguay en route to a 3-1 victory. A second-half onslaught from Joel Campbell, Oscar Duarte and Marco Ureña saw Costa Rica pull the shock of the tournament. The Group D minnows sit atop with three points.
Goals: England—Sturridge 37'; Italy—Marchisio 35' Balotelli 50'
The latest chapter in the historic rivalry between England and Italy was written in blue, with the Azzurri capturing a narrow 2-1 victory in Manaus. The enthralling, back-and-forth affair was opened in the 35th minute after Claudio Marchisio finished a crashing shot from outside the box. England answered two minutes later, but a thundering header from Mario Balotelli in the second half was enough for Italy to capture the all-important win.
Goals: Ivory Coast—Bony 64' Gervinho 66'; Japan—Honda 16'
It took more than 60 minutes, but the Ivory Coast finally exorcised the demons of World Cups past with a 2-1 victory over Japan. Keisuke Honda’s strike would be neutralized by a Wilfried Bony header in the second half. Just two minutes later, it was Gervinho who polished off a cultured cross from Serge Aurier to give the Ivory Coast an insurmountable 2-1 lead.
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