Costa Rica knocked out one world Champion England without playing them and put two others Uruguay and Italy on the age. The team of the Group of Death D which no one in the widest of dream thought of advancing has caused major surprise beating Uruguay and Italy back to back. Italy is just beaten 1-0.
When the match started with both team playing cautiously many twitted or posted in Facebook that teams were playing safe for a draw to knock out England .But Costa Rica had different idea. They played well within themselves and played to their strength. Italy as one would have liked to see had control over the proceeding in terms of ball possession and advancing with purpose beyond opponents half. But as soon as they were about to unleash Italian attacks were blocked by Costa Rican defence. On the other hand whenever Costa Rica counter attacked their pace and strong running with or without the ball always created panic in Italian deep defence. Costa Rica was denied a definite penalty when the advancing forward was brought down inside Italian penalty area. Finally the all-important Costa Rican goal came through a beautiful header of Ruiz from a teasing cross in the Italian defence (1-0). Bryan Ruiz header gave Costa Rica victory and sent them into the Round of 16
Stunned by the goal Italy threw everything into the attack to get the equalizer .But Costa Rican defence not only absorbed the barrage of attacks but also threatened Italian defence regularly trading long passes, combining sweetly and moving dangerously with fast wingers . As time ticked not only Italian and Uruguayan fans started panicking English fans got sure of leaving Brazil empty handed.
When the groups were drawn England was last to be added to the group already having Italy, Uruguay and Costa Rica. The English card was drawn by Geoff Hurst their old soccer hero. People started gossiping about this group of death having three champions of the past. No one in the wildest of dreams gave outsider Costa Rica any chance. Now even after the second matches of the group Costa Rica is the only team of the group which has already booked its place in the knock out round with two straight wins. England has already died and one of the other two Uruguay or Italy will die for sure. Costa Rica richly deserved this. In a tournament like World Cup a team cannot win two matches back to back against two champions of the past without quality and class. Well done Costa Rica.
BDST: 0940 HRS, JUN 21, 2014
