Greece promised goals that didn't come. Japan pressed for a victory that eluded it yet again.

The ultimate result of what has turned out to be a rarity at this World Cup — a 0-0 draw — is that Colombia is guaranteed to move on to the knockout rounds and Greece and Japan are still clinging to life in Group C.

A brilliant double strike by Luis Suarez put England on the brink of a humiliating World Cup exit as Uruguay won 2-1 in a tense Group D match Thursday.

Suarez, back in action just four weeks after knee surgery, put Uruguay ahead with a 39th-minute header before Wayne Rooney equalised with his first ever World Cup finals goal.

Ivory Coast international Serey Die showed true dedication to his country by playing on despite the fact his father passed away just two hours before kick-off.

The brave midfielder broke down as the Ivory Coast national anthem played out ahead of their Group C game against Colombia on Thursday night.

Colombia maintained South America's strong start to the World Cup on Thursday, downing the Ivory Coast 2-1 to stay on course for a place in the last 16.

A day after Chile eliminated defending champions Spain, Colombia produced a fine attacking display to down the powerful Ivorians in Group C.

Defending champions Spain slumped into mourning over their disastrous World Cup exit on Thursday ahead of a clash between England and Uruguay that could see another famous name fatally wounded.

A picture of midfielder Andres Iniesta, his head in his hands after the 2-0 defeat by Chile, symbolized the end of a golden run in which Spain won the World Cup and two straight European Championships.

FIFA has cleared Pepe to play in Portugal's last Group G match by banning him for only one match for his red card against Germany.

FIFA said Pepe will serve his suspension when Portugal plays the United States on Sunday. He can play against Ghana next Thursday.

Vicente del Bosque will not be rushed into a decision over his future as coach of Spain after their World Cup reign ended in a humiliating first round exit.

Wednesday's 2-0 defeat to Chile at Rio's Maracana, which followed a 5-1 rout at the hands of the Netherlands, sealed the fate of Spain who were chasing a fourth successive title to add to their 2010 World Cup and 2008 and 2012 European championships.

At England's beach-side hotel in Rio de Janeiro it was captain Steven Gerrard who tried to raise the spirits of his demoralized teammates. They hadn't been outplayed by Italy in their World Cup opener — far from it — but still go into Thursday's game with Uruguay on zero points in Group D.

Addressing the squad, Gerrard told them to be "really proud of the effort and commitment," but the 112-cap veteran also delivered a warning: lose against Uruguay and they are bound to be back on the plane to England next week.

Striker Mario Mandzukic scored two second-half goals as Croatia knocked 10-man Cameroon out of the World Cup with a 4-0 rout in Manaus on Wednesday.

Spain's long reign as the kings of international football came to a dramatic end at the World Cup on Wednesday, with the defending champions sent crashing out after a 2-0 defeat to Chile.

On a day when King Juan Carlos tearfully sealed his abdication after a four-decade reign, Spain's players were booted from their own throne in 90 minutes.