Two goals in two second-half minutes saw the Ivory Coast come from behind and beat Japan 2-1 in a dramatic World Cup Group C late Saturday encounter.

A fine Keisuke Honda strike after 16 minutes had put Japan in front at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife, but the Ivorians introduced Didier Drogba from the bench just after the hour mark before going on to turn the game on its head.

Mario Balotelli scored the winner as Italy beat England 2-1 in their World Cup duel in the Amazon on Saturday, while Costa Rica provided a major shock with an upset win over Uruguay.

AC Milan striker Balotelli nodded past former Manchester City team-mate Joe Hart on 50 minutes to decide the tense Group D encounter at Manaus's sweltering Amazonia Arena.

James Rodriguez rounded off a convincing 3-0 win for Colombia over Greece as the South Americans made light of the absence of injured striker Radamel Falcao in their opening Group C match at the World Cup on Saturday.

Full-back Pablo Armero had given the Colombians -- appearing at their first finals since 1998 -- the lead in the fifth minute while Teofilo Gutierrez's 13th goal for his country shortly before the hour mark wrapped up the three points.

Spanish newspapers on Saturday bemoaned the "humiliation" and "catastrophe" of world champions Spain's 5-1 battering by the Netherlands in their opening World Cup match in Brazil.

Most papers splashed on their front pages a photo of Spain's goalkeeper and captain Iker Casillas kneeling with head bowed as Dutch players celebrated after ripping apart the Spanish defense.

World champions Spain's 5-1 mauling by the Netherlands was especially symbolic for the disastrous role played by captain and talisman of three consecutive major tournament victories Iker Casillas.

The 32-year-old was clearly at fault for the Netherlands’ fourth goal, slotted home by Robin Van Persie, and was earlier booked for his protests after claiming he had been fouled by the Manchester United striker as he flapped to allow Stefan de Vrij to make it 3-1.

France begin their World Cup campaign against Honduras on Sunday in Porto Alegre looking to wipe away the memories of four years ago when an unruly squad returned home shamed after picking up just one point from three matches against Uruguay, Mexico and South Africa.

Here, AFP sports looks at why things should be different this time.

Lionel Messi will be attempting to cement his legacy as an all-time great when Argentina tackle Bosnia-Hercegovina in their World Cup Group F opener in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday.

Trophies, plaudits and individual honors have rained down upon the record-shredding 26-year-old Barcelona sensation over the past few years, but a signature showing at a major international tournament still eludes him.

England manager Roy Hodgson and his Italy counterpart Cesare Prandelli declared themselves happy with the much-criticized Manaus pitch on the eve of their World Cup Group D clash on Saturday.

Players' union FIFPro lambasted the Amazonia Arena pitch after pictures emerged earlier this week in which it looked parched and was strafed by brown lines, but Hodgson said he had no worries about it.

Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel believes Nigeria are on the right track to turn around a dismal recent record in World Cup finals and can build on their success as African champions.

The Super Eagles have played in five of the past six World Cups but after reaching the second round in 1994 and 1998, have taken just two points from their past six matches in the finals.

With Australia's scalp in the bag, Chile now set their sights on a big game kill in the guise of world champions Spain.

Friday's 3-1 opening success over the stubborn Socceroos in Cuiaba combined with Spain's crushing loss to Holland earlier in the day means Chile can inflict a fatal blow on Vicente del Bosque's men when they meet on Wednesday in the Maracana.