World Cup 2014 friendlies: Injuries the story on Saturday

Ecuador couldn’t fight back into the match from there, but they did get a consolation goal, scored by substitute Enner Valencia with a free kick that took a deflection.

Mexico: Ochoa, Moreno, Marquez (Salcido 46’), Rodriguez, Guardado (Layun 50’), Peña (Vazquez 46’), Herrera, Montes (Fabian 41’), Aguilar, Dos Santos (Jimenez 80’), Peralta (Hernandez 67’)

Ireland picked up where they left off in the second half, with the impressive Pilkington flashing a snapshot just past Sirigu’s far post inside five minutes of the restart. Italy did manage to put the ball into Forde’s net moments later, only for Ciro Immobile’s effort to be ruled out for offside. Such an end-to-end contest continued throughout the second half, with the game never really slowing into a defined pattern.

Italy: Sirigu; De Scigio, Bonucci, Paletta, Darmian (Abate 88’); Marchisio, Thiago Motta (De Rossi 62’), Montolivo (Aquilani 16’ [Parolo 38’]); Verratti; Rossi (Cerci 71’), Immobile (Cassano 57’).

His teammates reacted emotionally, with a number of them looking visibly upset as he was being treated. The pace of the game was considerably slower after he departed, with both teams coasting towards halftime.

Montes has been a key player for Mexico since Miguel Herrera took over and has been one of the best players in Liga MX over the last two years, helping Leon to two league championships. His chemistry with fellow midfielder Carlos Peña was expected to be a crucial component of Mexico’s team, but they will have to figure out how to get results in the World Cup without him.

According to RAI’s pitchside reporter, Montolivo thought he’d suffered a break:

That doesn’t sound good. Montolivo wouldn’t be described as one of Italy’s key players, but he’s a versatile midfielder and a big favourite of coach Cesare Prandelli. Needless to say, picking up an injury just a couple of weeks before the biggest tournament in football begins is horrible. Let’s hope it isn’t as bad as Monty seems to think.

Ronaldo has a slight calf problem that is unlikely to keep him out of the start of the World Cup, but it’s one more injury in a long string of small knocks that have kept him from being the best version of himself in the second half of the season. Hopefully a couple of full weeks off will allow him to get back to full fitness before the World Cup.

Paulo Bento has also announced that he will be resting Ronaldo’s club teammate Pepe, who went into the Champions League final with a slight injury issue as well.

Projected lineups

Match Date/Time: Saturday, 2 p.m. local, 3 p.m. ET