Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Mathieu Valbuena all pick up the points as France thump Switzerland by five goals to two. Costa Rica qualify for the last 16 after a Bryan Ruiz header downs a disjointed Italy, while Enner Valencia scores twice as Ecuador come from behind to see off Honduras:

France Run Riot in Swiss Rout
Didier Deschamps made a couple of changes for last night’s clash, bringing in Olivier Giroud and Moussa Sissoko for Antoine Griezmann and Paul Pogba. The switch helped France turn in one of the most impressive attacking displays of the tournament as their front three tore Switzerland apart in a 5-2 drubbing – Karim Benzema was fielded on the left to accommodate Giroud and, despite missing a spot-kick, still served up a goal and two assists, whilst the Arsenal man and Mathieu Valbuena both registered a goal and assist. With Sissoko and Blaise Matuidi also netting from midfield, Les Bleus delivered Fantasy points aplenty and on the back of such a convincing display, owners of Griezmann and Pogba will be a little disconcerted over their future minutes.

Hitfeld’s Men Humbled
Ottmar Hitzfeld also made two alterations to his starting XI –after climbing off the bench to score against Ecuador, Admir Mehmedi and Haris Seferovic came in for Valentin Stocker and Josip Drmic. The Swiss boss was forced into an early change, however, as Steve Von Bergen limped off to be replaced by Philippe Senderos alongside Johan Djourou in the heart of defence and the two former Arsenal men were unable to prevent on onslaught. Late goals from Blerim Dzmaili and Granit Xhaka may have helped the goal difference but morale will be low after such a performance and Hitzfeld could well decide to ring the changes in a vital final encounter with Honduras.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Yohan Cabaye (eight), Patrice Evra (seven) and Moussa Sissoko (five) led the way for recovered balls for France and for the Swiss, Xherdan Shaqiri and Philippe Senderos produced seven apiece, with Gokhan Inler and Ricardo Rodriguez next in line with six and five respectively.

Ruiz Nods Costa Rica Through
The Fulham man nodded the only goal of the game as Costa Rica clinched a place in the knockout stages with a deserved 1-0 win over Italy. In the so-called Group of Death, Jorge Luis Pinto’s side have shocked the football world and proven deadly differentials across the Fantasy games – the brave few who invested in their assets have been richly rewarded, with centre-half Oscar Duarte the main source of points with a goal and clean sheet over the two fixtures. Having conceded just one goal thus far, Pinto’s 5-4-1 formation looks set to trouble England next time around, as Roy Hodgson’s side attempt to regain some pride before heading home.

No Kiss for Mario
Balotelli requested a peck on the cheek from the Queen if Italy triumphed last night but they’ll be no need to pucker up after Cesare Prandelli’s side turned in a dire display. Italy started with a 4-3-3 formation as Prandelli kept the same front three that got the better of England before the half-time introduction of Antonio Cassano forced a switch to a front two. In spite of the change, Costa Rica’s defence held tight, limiting Italy to four shots on target and catching their opponents offside on an incredible 11 occasions, with the Italians lacking any real cohesion in the final third. Prandelli’s side need just a draw against Uruguay to qualify but with Luis Suarez in such sparkling form, there’s every chance his shaky defence will concede again – changes up front may be required if Italy are to get at point, with Cassano perhaps in line to start if Italy return to the 4-3-1-2 formation mainly used in qualifying.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Costa Rica registered 51 recovered balls to Italy’s 39. Centre-halves Michael Umana (10) and Giancarlo Gonzalez (seven) led the way, while full-backs Cristian Gamboa and Junior Diaz (five apiece) and central midfielders Yeltsin Tejeda (six )and Celso Borges (five) also stood out. Giorgio Chiellini and Daniel de Rossi, with eight apiece, were Italy’s top performers, with Andrea Barzagli next best on five.

Valencia Key to Ecuador Comeback
The South Americans made just one change from the side that lost to Switzerland in Matchday 1, with Oswaldo Minda coming in for Carlos Grueza in central midfield. Once again, Enner Valencia’s predatory instincts in and around the box were vital for Reinaldo Rueda’s side – the 25-year-old, who had scored in five of his previous six internationals, bagged a brace to steer his side into second spot in Group E with one match remaining. Unfortunately for Ecuador, their final encounter is against the rampant French, whereas the Swiss square up to Honduras –although his side’s prospects of progressing are perhaps limited, Valencia still remains on the radar as a budget friendly option as he looks to take advantage of a France defence that was far from impressive in the latter stages of yesterday’s action.

Honduras Improvement Not Enough
Luis Fernando Suarez’ side were without the suspended Wilson Palacios after his dismissal against France last time around. Jorge Claros came in for the Stoke man in the centre of the park while Andy Najar was handed a role on the right in a 4-4-2, with Oscar Garcia dropping out in the only other alteration. Certainly, having mustered just one shot on target from a total of four attempts against the French, Honduras made great strides yesterday – 17 shots, with five on target, was indicative of their display in the final third as frontman Carlo Costly fired them ahead and also hit the woodwork in the narrow 2-1 defeat. After back-to-back defeats in their first two, Suarez’ side won’t be earmarked for our Fantasy attentions but if they can replicate yesterday’s display, Switzerland may not have it all their own way in next week’s vital showdown.

In the FIFA McDonald’s game, Maynor Figueroa and Brayan Beckeles produced the most recovered balls for the Hondurans with eight apiece, while Luis Garrido, Jorge Claros and Roger Espinoza all managed six. For Ecuador, Oswaldo Minda (10), Jorge Guagua and Cristian Noboa (both eight) and Juan Paredes, with five, were the top performers.