Breakfast at Bebeto’s: All you need to know from the 9th night of World Cup action

Costa Rica are fast becoming every neutral’s favourite team while France and Switzerland served up a goal-fest.

On Day 9…

FRANCE QUALIFIED FOR the last 16 after slicing their neighbours, Switzerland to bits. Didier Deschamps’ men were 3-0 after 40 minutes and even found time to miss a penalty. The goals kept coming after the break and France won at a canter, even finding time to concede a couple of Swiss consolations in a 5-2 romp. John Giles and Didi Hamann both talked up France’s World Cup prospects after their second win of the tournament.

Brazil Soccer WCup Switzerland France Olivier Griroud and Mathieu Valbuena celebrate. David Vincent David Vincent

Earlier in the day, Italy suffered a shock 1-0 defeat to Costa Rica in Recife. Seeking a win to give them control of Group D, the Italians were flat throughout with Mario Balotelli missing his side’s best chance some 10 minutes before Bryan Ruiz’ well taken header settled the contest.

Soccer - FIFA World Cup 2014 - Group D - Italy v Costa Rica - Arena Pernambuco Balotelli lobs past Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas but his effort was bouncing wide before it was cleared. Adam Davy Adam Davy

Honduras and Ecuador kicked lumps out of each other for 30 minutes before a pulsating match broke out in Curitiba. Carlos Costly opened the scoring for Honduras before Enner Valencia responded with his second and third goals of the tournament in a game where there could have been three penalties awarded. Ecuador’s 2-1 win tees them up for the second round if they can claim a positive result against France.

Winner

Bryan Ruiz - Deemed surplus to Fulham’s futile relegation battle last season, Ruiz produced a superb header, following Junior Diaz’ pin-point cross, to put his team into the last 16.

Brazil Soccer WCup Italy Costa Rica Ricardo Mazalan Ricardo Mazalan

The 28-year-old has a one-in-five goalscoring record at international level but chose a fine time to deliver his most important international goal.

Loser

Gary Lineker has no doubt binned this old school Italian number. BBC BBC

England - 20 hours after their fate was almost sealed, Costa Rica’s 1-0 win over Italy confirmed England’s World Cup exit. Zero wins from two games, all Roy Hodgson’s men have left to play for against a Costa Rica side eager to maintain their 100% record.

Joga Bonito

Paul Pogba came off the French bench to set up Benzema’s third goal of the tournament with a crafty, outside of the boot pass.
https://vine.co/v/MTXBYwQHI1M

What we’ve got to look forward to day

Lionel Messi will hope to add to his World Cup goals account from 5pm as Argentina take on Carloa Queiroz’ Iran.
At 8pm, Ghana need a win to revive their tournament but are up against Germany, conquerors of Portugal last time out
Bosnia-Herzegovina and Nigeria face off at 11pm and both sides will fancy their chances of claiming all three points.