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Group C’s dark horses are squaring off at Natal in a match that none of them can afford to lose, whilst favourites Colombia and Ivory Coast are facing off earlier in Brazil’s capital.
Greece are hoping to bounce back from a heavy 3-0 defeat by the South Americans and manager Fernando Santos is expected to make quite a few changes in the starting line-up. Fulham record-singing striker Kostas Mitroglou will be starting instead of former Bayer Leverkusen man Fanis Gekas up front and Genoa winger Giannis Fetfatzidis is probably replacing Dimitris Salpingidis on the wings.
The National needs to put its rock-solid defence back together which raises questions as to whether German-born left-back Jose Holebas will be starting - if not, he will be replaced by Giorgos Tzavellas. Nevertheless, the 2004 European champions will feature the same centre-back duo of Kostas Manolas and Borussia Dortmund’s Sokratis Papastathopoulos.
Japan fell short against Ivory Coast last week and will be relying heavily on speed to break the Greek defence, just like Colombia did. Manager Alberto Zaccheroni will be expecting a lot from the trio behind the striker consisting of AC Milan’s Keisuke Honda, Inter Milan’s Yuto Nagatomo and Manchester United’s Shinji Kagawa.
Show all 62 1 /62World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 1 Argentina 0 Mario Gotze celebrates the winning goal in the World Cup final at the Maracana
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 0 Netherlands 3 In the third-place play-off Brazil were unable to salvage any pride as they went down 3-0 to the Dutch. Robin van Persie scored from the spot after Thiago Silva pulled Arjen Robben down. Daley Blind produced a cute finish to double the lead and Georginio Wijnaldum made it another embarrassing scoreline for the hosts with his injury-time goal.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 0 Argentina 0 (Netherlands win 4-2 on pens) Sergio Romero saved two spot kicks as Argentina set up the final against Germany.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 1 Germany 7 Brazil's World Cup dreams ended in humiliating and brutal fashion as Germany inflicted their heaviest defeat in the first semi-final in Belo Horizonte.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Belgium 0 Argentina reached their first World Cup semi-final since finishing as runners-up in 1990 with victory over Belgium in Brasilia.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 0 Costa Rica 0 (Netherlands win 4-3 on penalties) Goalkeeper Tim Krul came off the bench late in extra time and saved two penalties as the Netherlands beat Costa Rica in a shootout to set up a World Cup semi-final against Argentina.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 0 Germany 1 Germany became the first nation to reach four consecutive World Cup semi-finals as Mats Hummels' early header proved enough to see them past France at the Maracana.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 2 Colombia 1 The hosts tooka an early lead through captain Thiago Silva and doubled it through David Luiz's stunning long range free kick. Colombia got one back with a James Rogriguez penalty but couldn't find the equaliser in a thrilling game.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 2 United States 1 (aet) The teams could not be separated in normal time, and nor could they score most thanks to an inspired performance from Tim Howard, but in the extra 30 minutes the game exploded. Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku scored before Julian Green set up a thrilling finale, but the American dream came to an end
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Switzerland 0 (aet) Switzerland proved stubborn opponents and did enough to take Argentina to extra-time. With the game just minutes away from penalties, Lionel Messi played in Angel di Maria whose first time strike was beyond the goalkeeper and into the corner
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 2 Algeria 1 (aet) Andre Schurrle scored the first goal for Germany after Algeria took one of the favourites to win the tournament to extra-time. Mesut Ozil then added a second but there was just enough time for Abdelmoumene Djabou to get one back. It was too late though and the last African nation standing was out
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 2 Nigeria 0 France celebrate after beating Nigeria thanks to goals from Paul Pogba and an own goal from Joseph Yobo
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Costa Rica 1 Greece 1 (Costa Rica win 5-3 on penalties) Umana scored the decisive spot-kick to send Costa Rica through. The Central American side went into the lead through Bryan Ruiz before Óscar Duarte saw red. Playing against 10 men, Greece found a way through just before the end of normal time thanks to Sokratis Papastathopoulos. However they could not find another and the match went to penalties
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 2 Mexico 1 Robben won a controversial late penalty as the Netherlands won in Fortaleza, with Huntelaar scoring from the spot
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 2 Uruguay 0 James Rodriguez was the star man during the triumph over Uruguay, including scoring arguably the goal of the tournament
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 1 Chile 1 (Brazil win 3-2 on penalties) The poster boy Neymar held his nerve in Belo Horizonte
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Algeria 1 Russia 1 Islam Slimani broke Russia's hearts when he equalised in the 60th minute of this match. Russia had needed a win but Slimani's goal took Algeria level at 1-1 and there were no further goals. The result meant the north African side reached the knock out phase for the first time in their history.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results South Korea 0 Russia 1 Jan Vertonghen celebrates scoring the only goal of the match during Belgium's game against South Korea. The victory ensured his side finished top of Group H with three wins from three.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Portugal 2 Ghana 1 Cristiano Ronaldo finally got on the scoresheet and with it won his side the match. But with an inferior goal difference to the United States it wasn't enough
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results United States 0 Germany 1 The United States might have lost - but their German manager Jurgen Klinsmann was delighted as his team still went through. Thomas Mueller got the only goal of the game to take his tally to four.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ecuador 0 France 0 Ecuador frustrate the French at the Maracana but they can't find the winner to take them through to the second round alongside their opponents
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Honduras 0 Switzerland 3 Xherdan Shaqiri's hat-trick helps Switzerland to beat Ecuador to the runner-up spot in Group E and progress to a second round tie against Argentina
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Bosnia-Herzegovina 3 Iran 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina finally get their first win of a poor campaign as they see off Iran and end their hopes of progression in the process.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Nigeria 2 Argentina 3 Lionel Messi stars once again as he scores twice in the victory over Nigeria, although the Africans progress to the last-16 alongside Messi and Co.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Italy 0 Uruguay 1 Luis Suarez holds his teeth while Giorgio Chiellini lies in pain during the incident that overshadowed what was an incredible result for Uruguay. The Liverpool striker appeared to bite the Italian defender, but it went unnoticed by the referee. Two minutes later Diego Godin scored the only goal of the game and with it took his side through to the next round and dumped Italy out.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Costa Rica 0 England 0 Roy Hodgson gave the kids a chance in this dead rubber and at least they were able to claim a point for England at this World Cup.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Cameroon 1 Brazil 4 Neymar's superb two-goal show inspired Brazil as the hosts eased through to the last 16 of the World Cup, finishing top of Group A to set up a meeting with Chile.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Croatia 1 Mexico 3 Mexico captain Rafael Marquez once again led by example to help carry his side into the last 16 with a 3-1 victory over Croatia which ended their hopes of qualifying from Group A.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Netherlands 2 Chile 0 Netherlands and Chile met in the Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo to determine who would finish top of Group B and it was the European side that came out on top. Leroy Fer and Memphis Depay scored the two goals, both of which came in the second half.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Australia 0 Spain 3 Torres and Mata celebrate during Spain's win over Australia in which the reigning champions were able to leave the competition with their heads held higher than they might have been. The pictured pair were on the scoresheet after David Villa has opened the scoring.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results USA 2 Portugal 2 Silvestre Varela equalised in the 95th minute to keep Portugal in the competition, heading in from Cristiano Ronaldo's cross. A defeat, and Portugal would have been knocked out of the competition.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results South Korea 2 Algeria 4 Those who tuned in to a game billed as possibly the least glamorous of the 2014 World Cup were treated to one of the most thrilling matches yet. Islam Slimani, Rafik Halliche, Abdelmoumene Djabou and Yacine Brahimi scored for Algeria with Son Heung Min and Koo Jacheol on target for South Korea.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 1 Russia 0 Divock Origi celebrates with Eden Hazard after scoring with just a couple of minutes left on the clock. It was the 19-year-old's first goal for his country and ensured the competitions dark horses went through to the next round with a game to spare
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Nigeria 1 Bosnia-Herzegovina 0 Peter Odemwingie scored the only goal of the match and with it ended Bosnia-Herzegovina's hopes of going beyond the group stage in their first ever World Cup
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 2 Ghana 2 Miroslav Klose came off the bench to slavage Germany a draw and tie Ronaldo as the most prolific goalscorer in World Cup history with 15
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 1 Iran 0 Lionel Messi is jubilant and relieved as he scores the goal in Belo Horizonte yesterday that put Argentina into the knockout stages
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Honduras 1 Ecuador 2 Enner Valencia scored twice for Ecuador to come from behind and win
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Switzerland 2 France 5 Olivier Giroud opened the scoring in a game where seven different players got on the scoresheet
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Italy 0 Costa Rica 1 Bryan Ruiz heads home as Costs Rica pull off a shock to qualify from Group D
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Japan 0 Greece 0 Greece captain Kostas Katsouranis was sent off in dull stalemate
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Uruguay 2 England 1 Heartbreak for England as Luis Suarez scores twice in defeat
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 2 Ivory Coast 1 James Rodriguez and Juan Quintero scored as Colombia progressed to the second round
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Cameroon 0 Croatia 4 Mario Mandzukic scored twice as Croatia thrashed 10-man Cameroon. Alex Song was dismissed.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Spain 0 Chile 2 Chile sent the holders Spain packing with goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Australia 2 Netherlands 3 Despite Tim Cahill's cracking volley, Australia were beaten 3-2 by the Netherlands, who scored thanks to Arjen Robben, Robin van Persie and Memphis Depay.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Russia 1 South Korea 1 Igor Akinfeev gave away a shocking goal against South Korea but thankfully for him Aleksandr Kerzhakov quickly scored at the other end as the game ended 1-1. Fabio Capello could have been excused for feeling a sense of deja vu after his side's opening game.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 0 Belgium 0 Neither side were able to break the deadlock with Mexico goalkeeper Francisco Ochoa in inspired form to deny a host of chances, particular a point blank header from Thiago Silva.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Belgium 2 Algeria 1 Marouane Fellaini celebrates after coming off the bench to bring the scores level. Fellow substitute Dries Mertens then scored the winner.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ghana 1 USA 2 John Brooks headed a late winner for USA in a thrilling victory. The defender scored four minutes after Andre Ayew equalised. Clint Dempsey had put USA ahead in the first minute.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Iran 0 Nigeria 0 Some rare goal-mouth action during the 0-0 draw between Iran and Nigeria. It was notable for being the first game of the tournament without a goal. That was all it was notable for.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Germany 4 Portugal 0 Thomas Mueller scored a hat-trick for Germany in this 4-0 drubbing. Cristiano Ronaldo was unable to make much of an impact, with his team-mate Pepe taking more headlines for being shown a red card.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Argentina 2 Bosnia-Herzegovina 1 Lionel Messi stole the headlines after his mazy run and cool finish gave Argentina a 2-1 victory. Many have tipped the South Americans to go all the way, but it took a moment of magic from Messi to clinch victory on Sunday night.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results France 3 Honduras 0 France overcame an aggressively-minded Honduras side to record a 3-0 victory, with striker Karim Benzema scoring twice and setting-up the third.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Switzerland 2 Ecuador 1 Switzerland substitute Haris Seferovic wheels away in celebration after he snatches a late victory for the Swiss, just moments after Ecuador missed a chance to win the game themselves.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Ivory Coast 2 Japan 1 Gervinho celebrates his winner after the Ivory Coast came from a goal down to beat Japan in the early hours of Sunday morning.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results England 1 Italy 2 England's valiant effort was not enough in Manaus as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat against Italy, with Mario Balotelli scoring a second-half winner.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 3 Joel Campbell led Costa Rica to a stunning 3-1 shock victory over much-fancied Uruguay. Luis Suarez was unavailable for the South Americans, with the striker watching on in despair from the bench.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Colombia 3 Greece 0 Colombia took their chances against a lacklustre Greece side that offered very little in resistance to the South Americans.
World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Chile 3 Australia 1 Alexis Sanchez helped Chile get off to a winning start as the dispatched the Socceroos 3-1 in Friday's final match.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Spain 1 Netherlands 5 Robin van Persie netted one of the greatest headers seen in World Cup history, as the Netherlands recorded one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history in smashing the reigning champions 5-1 in a clinical display.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Mexico 1 Cameroon 0 Mexico should have emerged as comfortable winners against the African side, after Giovanni Dos Santos saw two legitimate goals chalked off for offside.
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World Cup 2014: Match-by-match results Brazil 3 Croatia 1 Superstar Neymay helped get the hosts off to a controversial victory after he scored twice in the defeat of Croatia. The match was blighted by a penalty decision in which Fred appeared to dive, leading to a wrath of fury coming from the Croation camp.
KICK-OFF: Thursday, 11pm
PAST MEETING:
Greece 0 Japan 1 (Oguro), Confederations Cup, June 2005
STATS:
Greece have only won one of their last seven World Cup matches. They have lost all other six.
The Euro 2004 champions have a World Cup goal record of 2-18.
Former Fulham midfielder Giorgos Karagounis is the most capped Greek player ever and will be picking up his 137 appearance.
PAOK striker Dimitris Salpingidis and Roma right-back Vasilis Torosidis are the only players to have scored for Greece in the World Cup stage- one goal each. They both scored their goal four years ago against Nigeria.
Mainz striker Shinji Okazaki was the top scorer of the Asian World Cup qualifiers with eight goals.
Keisuke Honda has been involved in four out of the last five World Cup goals of his team as the AC Milan attacking midfielder has scored three goals and produced one assist.
ODDS:
Japan to win: 23.20
Greece to win: 13.5
Draw: 12.5
TV: Live on BBC One at 11pm
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