World Cup Group D Italy 0-1 Uruguay Godin 81 Uruguay needed a win to progress into the next phase of the tournament and in a bruising encounter they triumphed 1-0 over ten-man Italy who go out of the competition.
Whilst Uruguay may have needed a late Godin header to settle the match it was what happened minutes beforehand involving Liverpool striker Luis Suarez that provided the talking point.
The South American clashed with Giorgio Chiellini in the penalty area leaving the Italian defender to claim to the referee he had been bitten on the shoulder by Suarez who has previous in these matters. Even if television replays proved inconclusive Suarez at the very least attempted a head-butt.
This incident was in keeping with the game which had been physical throughout, with Italy just needing a point to reach the last 16 and Uruguay requiring a win.
For long periods the Italian defence looked impregnable as Uruguay struggled to break them down with Suarez in particular looking a forlorn figure up front. A succession of free kicks broke up the rhythm of the game which ideally suited the Italians.
But with still 30 minutes to play Azzuri midfielder Claudio Marchisio was sent off for a poor challenge and the balance of the tie flowed in favour of the South American's.
Yet, in these situations Italy are masters at shutting down a game and looked to have succeeded until with nine minutes remaining skipper Godin met a corner with a thumping header to dump the Italians out of the World Cup.
Uruguay will now play either Colombia or Uruguay at the Maracana on Saturday but it is the Suarez incident which will be talked about and take some of the gloss of the South American's achievement.
