BBC Sport's George Riley in Brazil: Bumped into Carlos Valderrama pre-match at the Maracana

Image source, Getty Images

The build-up may have been overshadowed by the actions and reactions of a certain Uruguay number nine, but it is 24 long years since Colombia made it to the knockout stages of the World Cup finals.

In Italy their passage came to a sticky end, with eccentric goalkeeper Rene Higuita inexplicably overplaying with the ball 40 yards from goal and presenting Cameroon striker Roger Milla with the winner in Naples.

The class of 2014 have razzled and dazzled us so far with some wonderful flowing football - can they pull it off when it matters?

Mac Jerry:, external Ooosh..after the storm, there must be a calm. Surely this match will end in 90 mins! Suarez will be missed.

John McEnerney: , externalSuarez isn't going to influence the outcome of this match so no more talk of him until this WCup is over! Forlan to score!

Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez said he will resign from two Fifa posts in protest at the "excessive severity" of Luis Suarez's ban.

Tabarez said Suarez had been made a "scapegoat" following his punishment for a third biting incident.

The 67-year-old says he will leave his roles with Fifa's technical study group and strategic committee.

"It isn't wise to be in an organisation with those who exerted pressure to promote this decision," he said.

Image source, AFP

Image source, @ECavaniOfficial

There's no sign of any support for Luis Suarez waning in Uruguay.

PSG striker Edinson Cavani and fellow Uruguay players gather round Suarez's shirt in the dressing room before the game. Why they needed to hang it up at all is beyond me to be honest...

The Uruguayans may draw inspiration from playing this game in Rio, scene of the greatest win in their history.

Alcides Ghiggia's winner against Brazil , externalin the final game of the 1950 tournament famously silenced the Maracana.

This evening's atmosphere may not be quite so partisan, yet the travelling Uruguayan fans are likely to be greatly outnumbered by their Colombian counterparts and most neutrals can be expected to side with Jose Pekerman's adventurous team.

That will only serve to inspire the Uruguayans. Victory for La Celeste would not match the shock value of the "Maracanazo", but would be almost as satisfying for a team convinced they have been unfairly treated by Fifa.

Sureditch:, external Great match, Chile deserved more. Just time for a quick bite before the Uruguay game (sorry Luis)

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty
At the Maracana

"Uruguay fans still firmly behind Luis Suarez here in Rio."

Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"Luis Suarez did do it. Simple as that. There is something clearly wrong and he needs help. If he does not see this as an issue then clearly it is an issue.

"If it was a bad tackle, an overreaction or an elbow, it is still very wrong but you can understand that in the heat of the moment. To bite someone without any provocation I find ridiculous."

Image source, Reuters

There is an explanation after all. Uruguay's Luis Suarez says he lost his balance and did not bite Italy's Giorgio Chiellini.

Fifa banned Suarez, 27, for four months and nine international matches for biting Chiellini in a group match on Tuesday, while Uruguay have told Fifa they intend to appeal against the decision.

"I lost my balance, making my body unstable and falling on top of my opponent," wrote Suarez in his defence to Fifa.

"At that moment I hit my face against the player leaving a small bruise on my cheek and a strong pain in my teeth."

Jel:, external I've said it since Day 1 - Brazil are not the best team nor have the best players so will not win the World Cup.

James:, external Aranguiz pen was by far the best. Don't let the hosts win overshadow it.

Tom Miszkowski:, external Chile played their part but don't think they played as well as they did when they took England apart at Wembley recently

Image source, Reuters

If you missed today's early game, Hosts Brazil knocked Chile out with a 3-2 win on penalties.

Mauricio Pinilla and Alexis Sanchez had penalties saved, before Gonzalo Jara missed the crucial final kick.

During the game itself, David Luiz gave Brazil the lead when he bundled in after Thiago Silva had flicked on Neymar's corner.

Chile equalised when Eduardo Vargas pounced on a defensive error and fed Alexis Sanchez who poked in.

Brazil's Hulk also had a goal disallowed in the second half when English assistant referee Michael Mullarkey judged the striker to have handled Marcelo's pass.

You can see highlights from Belo Horizonte at the top of the page. Just click on the 'Highlights tab'

England's players will be watching on this evening knowing that it could well have been them taking to the field at the Maracana tonight.

Having seen Colombia's attacking play so far, they may be quite glad that it isn't! James Rodriguez running at Glen Johnson?

Anyway, as we enjoy today's mini Copa America, is there any chance that a European side can win this World Cup?

Let us know how the European sides can progress, or if we are nailed on for a winner from the Americas.

Text us at 81111 (UK Only), tweet us at #bbcworldcup, external or post a message on our Facebook page., external or our Google + page., external

Luis Suarez begins a nine-match international ban this evening after he bit Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini on the shoulder on Tuesday.

The ban is the biggest in World Cup history, beating the eight games given to Italy's Mauro Tassotti for elbowing Spain's Luis Enrique in 1994.

He has also been banned from all football activities for four months, meaning that Liverpool fans won't see him in action until November at the earliest.

Diego Forlan is in in his place.

The global TV audience has been boosted by one this evening as Uruguay prepare to begin life without Luis Suarez.

If there's a football fan alive who doesn't know why the Liverpool striker is missing, I'll be amazed. But here's a quick recap...

BBC Sport Chief Football Writer Phil McNulty
At the Maracana

"So the World Cup scenery shifts from Belo Horizonte to Rio and the Maracana for Colombia against Uruguay - accompanied by the sound of fireworks being released outside this iconic stadium following Brazil's nail-biting win on penalties against Chile.

"The fallout from Luis Suarez's bite on Italy's Giorgio Chiellini has almost reduced the actual match to a footnote.

"In a 13-minute monologue here last night, Uruguay coach Oscar Tabarez denounced Fifa and the British media for their treatment of Suarez, insisting what they perceive as the injustice of a nine-match international ban and a four-month suspension from all football-related activity will inspire them.

"All the talking is over. No Suarez but still another outstanding game in prospect."

Image source, Epa

After days and days of Luis Suarez talk, and 120 minutes of riveting knockout football in Belo Hoizonte, the eyes of the world turn to Rio and to the Maracana.

Hosts Brazil await either Colombia or Uruguay in the last eight of the World Cup finals.

Can Uruguay threaten without their main man? Can Colombia bring their sizzling group form to the sudden-death scenario?

Let's find out...

Colombia make seven changes from the side which beat Japan 4-1 in their final group game, as their first-choice players return from a rest.

Uruguay make two changes, as Diego Forlan replaces the banned Luis Suarez.

Colombia: Ospina, Zapata, Yepes (c), Sanchez, Armero, Aguilar, Gutierrez, Rodriguez, Cuadrado, Zuniga, Martinez

Uruguay: Muslera, Godin (c), Pereira, Rodriguez, Forlan, Gimenez, Pereira, Arevalo, Gonzalez, Cavani, Caceres