Costa Rica beat Italy and seal spot in the next stage

In a match held on Friday (Jun 20) at Arena Pernambuco, in the northeastern city of Recife, Costa Rica defeated four-times-champion Italy 1-0 and secure their place in the next stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

Generally regarded as the weakest ones in the “group of death”, Costa Rica, who had also beaten two-times-champion Uruguay, now need to pull off a tie against now-eliminated England to become Group D’s top team.

Azzura’s tradition was not enough to intimidate Costa Rica. They proved superior throughout the match. Forty-three minutes after the kick-off, midfielder Bryan Ruiz skillfully intercepted a fine pass from the left and sent the ball towards the Italian goal with a finer header. The ball was seen to hit the crossbar and then bounce back out from the other side of the line, which was subsequently confirmed by FIFA’s technology.

Costa Rica fans could be heard screaming “olé” over and over again in the second half, during which much more possession could be seen on their side. Italian coach Cesare Prandelli used up all three changes, but was unable to remedy the plight of his squad.

This defeat brings Italy down to the group’s second place. Now the Italians will have to struggle for a tie in their game against Uruguay on Tuesday (24) at 1 pm, at the Dunas Stadium, in Natal. With two defeats, England  will meet leading Costa Rica in a dead rubber, also next Tuesday, at the Mineirão Stadium, in Belo Horizonte.

In the next stage, the qualified teams from Group D will take on the two top squads from Group C, made up by Colombia (the group’s leader), Ivory Coast, Japan and Greece.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira