Uruguay defender Diego Godin has expressed his pride following the team's passage through to the last 16 of the World Cup.

Godin scored the only goal of the game on Tuesday as the South Americans defeated Italy 1-0 to secure a second-placed finish in Group D.

"This is one of those games that defines an era," he told FIFA.com. "It was a dream match for us and it's made the whole country very happy. Italy played a good game, but we held firm and kept on pushing because we were certain our chance would come.

"We didn't make it easy for ourselves, starting the way we did, and it was a miracle that we pulled it off in the end. Now we can start thinking about the last 16, but no further. We respect everyone but fear no-one."

Uruguay's reward for beating Italy is a second-round clash with Colombia on Saturday.