MOGI DAS CRUZES, Brazil – For a second day running, this spectacular World Cup left everyone in awe. This time, it was Costa Rica which produced a huge upset.

A day after defending champion Spain sensationally was routed 5-1 by the Netherlands, a small Central American nation with a minor World Cup pedigree came from behind to beat 2010 semifinalist Uruguay 3-1.

Costa Rica’s victory spoiled a perfect record so far for South American teams, with Colombia having beaten Greece 3-0 in Saturday’s opener after victories for Brazil and Chile over the previous two days.

It also proved that while Colombia can thrive without its injured star Radamel Falcao, Uruguay is lost without its top striker Luis Suarez, who was sitting on the bench nursing a bad knee. Adding insult to injury, Maxi Pereira became the first player to be sent off at the 2014 tournament after he kicked Costa Rica’s best player, Joel Campbell, to the ground in the closing minutes.

The result left Costa Rica atop a Group D featuring three former champions, albeit with England and Italy playing later.

In a free-scoring tournament, the goals continued to flow Saturday, following the trend set by the Netherlands. And like Spain, Uruguay proved that four years can make all the difference at the World Cup.

Along with goals, a World Cup also thrives on upsets. And even though Costa Rica already had proven in qualifying it was a solid team, few would have counted on Uruguay to fold so quickly after Edinson Cavani scored the opening goal.

Costa Rica conjured up the spirit of 1990, when it upset Scotland and Sweden to reach the second round in its first World Cup. The 2014 team fought back, and victory did not come against the run of play.

Diego Forlan won the Golden Ball title as best player four years ago, but at 35, he was a shadow of his former self and was replaced, as Uruguay went looking for a way back into the game. But no one could step up to take over for the injured Suarez.

Compare that to Colombia, which showed off its new generation to the world.

With Falcao in the stands, Colombians were cheering 22-year-old playmaker James Rodriguez, handily called “El Nuevo Pibe,” or the “New Kid.” Rodriguez led his team and scored Colombia’s third goal, sealing his nation’s first World Cup victory in 16 years.

Italy 2, England 1

MANAUS, Brazil – Mario Balotelli scored with a second-half header Saturday to give Italy a Game 1 victory over England at the World Cup.

The Italy striker was left unmarked by Gary Cahill and nodded a cross from Antonio Candreva past goalkeeper Joe Hart in the 50th minute.

Claudio Marchisio opened the scoring for Italy, sending a long shot through a crowded area and past a diving Hart in the 35th. Daniel Sturridge equalized for England two minutes later, tapping in a cross from Wayne Rooney.

The win puts Italy in a strong position to qualify for the second round and leaves England with plenty to do in its remaining two matches.

In the other Group D match, Costa Rica beat Uruguay 3-1, leaving the 2010 semifinalists with a similarly difficult task to advance.

Ivory Coast 2, Japan 1

RECIFE, Brazil – Didier Drogba came off the bench to inspire Ivory Coast to a comeback victory over Japan in a World Cup Group C match Saturday.

Drogba, who had been carrying an injury, came on in the 62nd minute when his team was losing 1-0.

The talismanic striker’s arrival immediately lifted the Ivory Coast team, and Wilfried Bony and Gervinho scored with headers two minutes apart. Both goals were set up by curling crosses from defender Serge Aurier.

Keisuke Honda’s first-half goal gave Japan the lead.

Drogba has scored 64 international goals, but he was seen limping off the practice field last Wednesday with a thigh injury after a collision with Didier Zokora. Even before that, head coach Sabri Lamouchi had indicated that the 36-year-old former Chelsea star had competition for the starting striker’s spot.