Photo: Joel Campbell lashes home Costa Rica’s equalizer as the Ticos came from behind to defeat Uruguay 3-1. (Getty Images)
Playing without fear with massive amounts of pride and passion, CONCACAF representatives Costa Rica provided a massive surprise as they opened their account at World Cup 2014 with a convincing 3-1 win over reigning Copa America champions Uruguay.
The group which also includes European giants Italy and England has been labelled the “group of death” and Costa Rica was expected to be gobbled up by their more established rivals. They chose to rip up the script and gave a stirring performance inside the Estádio Governador Plácido Aderaldo Castelo Stadium much to the delight of their supporters.
The game had an even opening, before Edinson Cavani had a gilt edged chance with a header in the 16th minute but failed to hit the target. It would be Cavani who would broke the deadlock nonetheless when he stroked home a perfect penalty in the 24thminute after Junior Diaz fouled Diego Lugano in the box.
But the Uruguay defence was not at all comfortable as they struggled with the pace and strength of Costa Rican front man Joel Campbell. The best chance in the first half for Costa Rica fell to Gonzales and he should have done better with his far post header.
What must have been a strong half time team talk saw a determined Costa Rica put Uruguay to the sword for the first 15 minutes of the second half, a period in which they scored two goals to take the lead in the game.
First Campbell who had given the central defensive pair of Lugano and Godin problems all game found the equalizer in the 54th minute when he collected a right sided cross near the penalty area and thrashed home a left footed strike past a helpless Muslera.
The second Costa Rica goal which came only three minutes after the first was a header from Oscar Duarte under pressure. It was a very good header steered to the far post and out of the reach of Muslera once more.
Uruguay stepped up their game and put the Ticos under pressure forcing Navas to produce some brilliant saves to keep his team ahead.
Marcus Urena who had only just come onto the field, ran unto a perfectly weighted pass and produced a composed finish to steer his shot out of the reach of Muslera and into the far corner to drive the nail in the coffin of the semi-finalists in the last world cup.
The day got worse for Uruguay when right back Maxi Periera was sent off for a rash challenge on Campbell deep into stoppage time.
It was a brilliant start to the campaign for Costa Rica who will enter their next game against Italy confident of getting something out of that game.
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