A rundown of the World Cup games to watch Thursday:
Colombia vs. Ivory Coast
Noon, ESPN
at Brasilia
Favorite: Colombia
Didier Drogba could be in the super-sub role again for Ivory Coast, which created chances but put just five of 21 shots on frame in its Group C opener. Jose Pekerman’s Colombia will be without striker Carlos Bacca (leg) and talisman Radamel Falcao (knee), but the latter’s replacement, Teofilo Gutierrez, scored in a 3-0 opening rout of Greece that was so attack-minded Colombia’s shaky defense was never tested. A win would likely put either team in the Round of 16.
Uruguay vs. England
3 p.m, ESPN
at São Paulo
Favorite: Uruguay
Both teams dropped their openers, but there may be more heat on Uruguay after getting upset by Costa Rica. Will star Luis Suarez be back from his May 22 knee surgery? England has just four days to recover from a sweaty loss to Italy in the jungle of Manaus that had players cramping. Will the Three Lions still be toothless?
Japan vs. Greece
6 p.m., ESPN
at Natal
Favorite: Japan
Both teams lost Group C openers and likely are fighting for second behind Colombia. The Greeks’ normally stout defense got shredded in the opener, while smaller Japan has Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa, Keisuke Honda and enough speed and workrate to cause problems if it can keep the ball on the ground.