The South Americans secured their passage to the round of 16 at the expense of four times champions Italy after a dramatic 1-0 win in their last Group D match played in Natal on Tuesday.

Uruguay captain Diego Godin scored with an 81st-minute header with the Italian players still complaining after Uruguay striker Luis Suarez appeared to bite Giorgio Chiellini minutes before Godin rose to head in the winner.

The Liverpool striker appeared to bite the Italian defender as he fell to the floor in the penalty area during Uruguay’s bad-tempered victory in Natal.

Replays soon showed Suarez attempting to dig his teeth in his opponents’ shoulder.

Italy had been reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute when midfielder Claudio Marchisio was harshly sent off for a challenge on Egidio Arevalo Rios.

In the other match of the group, Costa Rica finished top of the group after drawing 0-0 with England and Uruguay take second place.

Though Suarez escaped the eye of the referee, it is yet to be seen if the Liverpool forward will be slammed with another heavy ban as his action taints his country’s progress into the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup.

Meanwhile, Italy manager Cesare Prandelli announced after the match that he is resigning with immediate effect.

Greece will take on Ivory Coast while Japan slug it out with Colombia in the remaining Group C matches that are scheduled to start in less than 90 minutes time.

Nigeria's Super Eagles will take on Argentina 5pm on Wednesday, 25 June, 2014 to secure their qualification for the second round.

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