A rundown of the World Cup games Friday:
Italy vs. Costa Rica
Noon, ESPN
at Recife
Favorite: Italy
The Azzurri and the Ticos come in tied atop Group D with three points each, but Costa Rica leads on goal differential. A win by either side likely sees it through safely. Costa Rica has forwards Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell. If left back Mattia De Sciglio returns for Italy, Giorgio Chiellini can move back to corner back; but midfielder Daniele De Rossi had neck pains after the opener and goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon may not play.
France vs. Switzerland
3 p.m., ESPN
at Salvador
Favorite: France
In every World Cup since 1998, Les Bleus has alternated winless campaigns with making the finals. After drilling Honduras 3-0 they’re hoping for a deep run, but they can’t get too excited going forward with dangerous scorers Karim Benzema and Olivier Giroud that they leave young midfielder Paul Pogba exposed to the Swiss, with Xherdan Shaqiri ready to take advantage.
Ecuador vs. Honduras
6 p.m., ESPN
at Curitiba
Favorite: Ecuador
Coach swapping is a thing now? Ecuador is coached by Reinaldo Rueda, who presided over Honduras’ scoreless 2006 World Cup campaign, while Honduras is guided by Luis Fernando Suarez, who led Ecuador to the knockout stage in 2006. Both countries lost their openers, and Honduras is without midfielder Wilson Palacios (suspension).