World Cup 2014 Standings: Updated Tables and Preview for Matchday 13

We are over halfway through the World Cup, which is sad. But there's also 28 total matches and 12 group fixtures still to be played, which is awesome. 

The prestigious tournament has been a non-stop producer of thrilling moments, individual transcendence and late, dramatic goals. 

With four more spots in the round of 16 on the line, and only one of the eight participants mathematically eliminated (sorry, England), Tuesday should be no different. 

Let's take a look. 

Updated Standings

	Group A
	Group B
	Group C
	Group D
	Group E
	Group F
	Group G
	Group H
Pos	Team	Pts	GD	MP	W	D	L	GF	GA
1	Brazil	7	5	3	2	1	0	7	2
2	Mexico	7	3	3	2	1	0	4	1
3	Croatia	3	0	3	1	0	2	6	6
4	Cameroon	0	-8	3	0	0	3	1	9
1	Netherlands	9	7	3	3	0	0	10	3
2	Chile	6	2	3	2	0	1	5	3
3	Spain	3	-3	3	1	0	2	4	7
4	Australia	0	-6	3	0	0	3	3	9
1	Colombia	6	4	2	2	0	0	5	1
2	Ivory Coast	3	0	2	1	0	1	3	3
3	Japan	1	-1	2	0	1	1	1	2
4	Greece	1	-3	2	0	1	1	0	3
1	Costa Rica	6	3	2	2	0	0	4	1
2	Italy	3	0	2	1	0	1	2	2
3	Uruguay	3	-1	2	1	0	1	3	4
4	England	0	-2	2	0	0	2	2	4
1	France	6	6	2	2	0	0	8	2
2	Ecuador	3	0	2	1	0	1	3	3
3	Switzerland	3	-2	2	1	0	1	4	6
4	Honduras	0	-4	2	0	0	2	1	5
1	Argentina	6	2	2	2	0	0	3	1
2	Nigeria	4	1	2	1	1	0	1	0
3	Iran	1	-1	2	0	1	1	0	1
4	Bosnia and Herzegovina	0	-2	2	0	0	2	1	3
1	Germany	4	4	2	1	1	0	6	2
2	United States	4	1	2	1	1	0	4	3
3	Ghana	1	-1	2	0	1	1	3	4
4	Portugal	1	-4	2	0	1	1	2	6
1	Belgium	6	2	2	2	0	0	3	1
2	Algeria	3	1	2	1	0	1	5	4
3	Russia	1	-1	2	0	1	1	1	2
4	South Korea	1	-2	2	0	1	1	3	5

Matchday 13 Fixtures

Group	Match	Local Time	Time (ET)	Time (BST)
D	Costa Rica vs. England	1 p.m.	Noon	5 p.m.
D	Italy vs. Uruguay	1 p.m.	Noon	5 p.m.
C	Greece vs. Ivory Coast	4 p.m.	4 p.m.	9 p.m.
C	Japan vs. Colombia	5 p.m.	4 p.m.	9 p.m.

Amazingly, in a group with three other past World Cup champions, it's Costa Rica who are in position to finish at the top. The Ticos, who have already clinched a spot in the round of 16, only need a draw against England, and even in the event of a loss, they could easily top the group by goal differential. 

While the Red Lions have nothing to play for outside of pride, Jorge Luis Pinto isn't taking them lightly:

The Group D match most will have their eyes on, however, is Italy vs. Uruguay. 

Both teams sit at three points, fighting to advance and avoid a national disappointment. After a deflating start to the tournament, Uruguay looked far more dangerous against England thanks to the return of talismanic striker Luis Suarez.

Italy only need a draw to advance, and they are adept at holding possession with Andrea Pirlo pulling the strings in the midfield, but the likely absence of Daniele De Rossi hurts. 

With a spot in the round of 16 on the line, and very likely two contrasting styles, this will be a compelling chess match between historically successful countries. When they met in the 2013 Confederations Cup, it turned into a thrilling 2-2 battle. 

Ben Swain put it simply: 

Over in Group C, any combination other than Colombia and Ivory Coast moving on would serve as a major shock. 

Earning six points through two matches, Colombia have looked extremely dangerous on the attack and can strike in an instant, thanks to the world-class play of James Rodriguez and Cuadrado. Japan, who have one point, are very talented in the midfield, but they have problems in the back that the South American side will likely take advantage of. 

Greece also have just a point, and if they want to advance, they'll have to score at least a goal. That's a problem, because they're basically allergic to the attacking half of the pitch. Fernando Santos' team is all about bunkering down and playing a defensive style, and it will be intriguing to see if he changes things up with a desperation for goal. 

Knowing Greece, probably not. 

All in all, it's a slate that looks like it may ultimately lack the regular drama of this World Cup. If we've learned anything over the past two weeks, though, it's to always expect the unexpected.