A controversial red card shown to Marchisio midway through the second half - and the failed sending off of Suarez for head-butting and biting Chiellini - paved the way for Uruguay's 1-0 win over Italy which qualifies the South Americans and eliminates the azzurri in the group stage, for the second time in a row.

Until the sending off, the Italians, in need of a draw to go through, had controlled the game and limited Uruguay to ball possession without being dangerous.

But the red card shown to Marchisio changed the balance of the game as Uruguay pushed foward. Seconds before Godin netted the winner following a corner, Mexican refereen Rodrigues did not see Suarez headbutting Chiellini in Italy's penalty area.

In the other group game, Costa Rica and England finished goalless for Costa Rica to win the group.

Captain Diego Godin scored in the 81st minute as Uruguay edged 10-man Italy 1-0.

Godin rose above a crowd of defenders to meet a corner with his left shoulder and veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon had no chance.

Mario Balotelli picked up his second yellow card in two matches during the first half then was benched for the second period.

Uruguay finished Group D with six points and Italy goes home with three.

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Costa Rica finished first in what many considered the World Cup's toughest group after a dour 0-0 draw against a second-string England side Tuesday.

Costa Rica only needed a draw to top Group D and it played that way, setting up in a defensive 5-3-2 formation.

England had already been eliminated and will go home without a win after striker Daniel Sturridge missed a number of chances throughout the match.

Sturridge's best chance in the second half came in the 65th after a nice one-two with Jack Wilshere. But the forward's curling shot from the right just missed squeezing inside the far post.

Costa Rica will play the runner-up in Group C in the second round. England lost its first two matches to Italy and Uruguay.

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