Uruguay skipper Diego Godín scored to send Italy crashing out of the World Cup on Tuesday amid a new biting controversy for South American star striker Luis Suárez.
Italy striker Mario Balotelli joked on Thursday that if his side rescues England's chances of World Cup qualification by beating Costa Rica, he expects a kiss from British monarch Queen Elizabeth II.
Heavyweights England and Uruguay must resurrect their World Cup hopes or face the prospect of an early flight home when they collide in a Group D fixture on Thursday at 1 p.m.
Assistant coach Paulo Wanchope on Monday said Costa Rica have more surprises in store for heavyweights Italy and England after their shock defeat of Uruguay.
Uruguay coach Óscar Tabárez said he won't rush Luis Suárez back from a knee injury for his side's World Cup opener against Costa Rica in Fortaleza on Saturday
