Kamil Krzaczynski/EPA

Mario Balotelli’s completely needless foul on Uruguay’s Álvaro Pereira in the 22nd minute will prove costly to Italy if it advances into the knockout round, but his foul was so graceful and athletic we can hardly be critical. Balotelli nearly hurdled the 5-foot-11 Pereira to win the ball. Pereira took a vicious blow to the head in Uruguay’s game against England, but remained in the game.

The yellow card was Balotelli’s second of the World Cup, meaning he will be suspended for Italy’s next match for accumulation of yellows. Italy only needs a draw against Uruguay to go through, and the game remained scoreless in the first half.