2014 FIFA World Cup REVIEW: Suarez Sinks His Teeth in 1-0 Victory

Andrea Pirlo and Gianluigi Buffon deserved a better ending than this. The two cornerstones of the Italy national team for the past decade saw early elimination in two consecutive World Cups after taking it to the top in 2006. The two were hoping to lead Italy to another trophy in the twilight of their careers, but instead their dreams were dashed by a Diego Godin header as Uruguay eliminated Italy in a 1-0 victory.

Unfortuntately the story of the match wasn’t Pirlo and Buffon’s final World Cup match of their careers. In case you’ve been living under the rock for the past hours, the final World Cup appearance by two prolific legends was overshadowed by the infamous jaw of Suarez.

The incident took place in the 79th minute inside the Italian box when Luis Suarez leaned towards Gianluigi Chiellini and made a meal out of the Italian’s shoulder. The Italian defender threw his elbow in retaliation and both players fell to the ground, Chiellini grabbing his bitten shoulder while Suarez clutched his two front teeth like a beaver out of a dental appointment. Chiellini pleaded to the referee for a booking on the Liverpool striker, but the official ignored him and allowed the match to play on.

In a tournament filled with dramatic heroics and a plethora of goals, fans are finally introduced to a new feature in this World Cup, a villain. Luis Suarez has finally gave soccer fans a team and player to jeer against not only for the course of this tournament, but even in the next World Cup as well. But in case fans haven’t known already, Luis Suarez is guilty of the same twice in the past.

Back in 2010 when

Suarez

Jawrez played for Ajax in the Eresdivisie, the Uruguayan bit PSV Eindhoven midfielder Otman Bakkal. The action resulted in a seven match ban for Suarez, but he didn’t learn his lesson. Fast forward to April 2013 when the now-Liverpool forward bit Branislav Ivanovic. The officials were blind to Suarez’s bite and left him on the pitch. Suarez scored the game-tying goal that match, but the Premier League officials reviewed the tape and slapped a 10-match ban on him. Ever since the biting incident in 2013, Suarez worked hard to redeem his image and cast himself in a public light.

The oft-controversial striker who was made infamous for his racial abuse on Patrice Evra almost won new fans after a phenomenal season with Liverpool, scoring 31 goals in the Premier League last season and bringing his club close to title contention. Now it’s back to step one for Suarez.

In a rather dull and disinteresting match, Suarez’s antic stole the show. The World Cup is starting to look interesting (as if it hasn’t been already) as Suarez will find himself facing the Columbias in the round of 16. Much to the fans’ ire, the Suarez fiasco has generated higher interest in the World Cup and it’s likely many will tune in the next match to see if Suarez will meet his demise. Meanwhile, Columbia will look to put their continental rival to justice.

Man of the Match

Diego Godin did a solid job in protecting the backline, stifiling the Italian attack, and holding his ground against Mario Balotelli. His game-winning header was a reward for all the hard work he put in on the defensive end. It’s too bad his marvelous performance is overshadowed by his teammate’s shenanigans, but it’s probably wise for Godin to avoid confront Suarez about putting the team in heat and stealing his limelight. He’ll need those shoulders for the next match.

Tweets of the Match: Jawrez Edition