Funnily enough, there HAS been a World Cup in which a team (Spain) won all 3 group games, and the other 3 teams all beat each other, leaving all 3 of them with 1 win and 2 defeats, and therefore tied on 3 points each. (Well, 2 points each in those days).

Unfortunately, only the winner went on to the next phase in that particular tournament, leaving the bottom 3 positions academic. However, had 2 teams qualified, under todays goal difference rules, the team progressing would have been.....England.

Do you believe in coincidences?

Oh and another thing......the World Cup in question was in Brazil.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1950_FIFA_World_Cup

I've always had a soft spot for Italy, don't know why. One of my 1st footballing experiences was Italia 90 where Italy the host nation got knocked out by Maradona's Argentina in the semi-final. Seemed an injustice. The problem for them winning both games is that Costa Rica may be better than people expected and Uruguay have recovered after their dreadful start. If they get the right result today they only need a point against Uruguay. The conditions don't help. All 3 of their group games are in the north of Brazil and the last two lunchtime kick offs. They'll struggle to win both games though on paper they're the better side.

I noticed someone mentioned Chile qualifying in 1998 with 3 points. Who won that group? Italy

No worries!
Like I said, I can't see it happening anyway.
We'll see how Italy do tonight first!

Conservative selection by Prandelli. Might struggle to break Costa Rica down if they have a back 5.

Yes, I think that's the problem, the first match was assessed by on what we assume the Costa Rica team to be like.
If they're better than people thought then their first result makes sense, the Uruguay result against England makes sense, and it may make sense if Italy aren't convincing against them today.
They may even win the group if their goal difference remains relatively intact compared to the others.

Its academic, but there is a swing.

CR lose by 1, their plus 2 goes to plus 1

We beat them by 2, their plus 1 goes to -1.
Our -2 goes to 0, and we have a better GD.

Anyway, theyve outplayed italy now.