itsbeautifuloutside

Uruguay v Costa Rica

Fortaleza, 14th June 2014

Introduction

I fell into the trap of thinking Group D was a 3 horse race with Costa Rica the unfortunate whipping boys. The great thing about football is the way it often springs surprises and Saturday’s middle game, played in scorching 32C heat, was one of those wonderful occasions that proves what you think you know is wrong. There was no clue as to how this match would turn out. Uruguay even gave a gutsier rendition of their anthem than Costa Rica who lined up with a seemingly unambitious 5:4:1 formation. Neither Suarez nor Gaston took any part in this match – are either of them fit?

Match Report

I was looking forward to seeing Joel Campbell after being impressed by his performances for Olympiakos in the CL. Despite their nervous start Costa Rica soon found their #9 making intelligent runs and dragging defenders about. He linked well with Bolanos to engineer the first corner but play was stopped for a crass foul on Lugano. On 11 minutes another attack saw Ruiz send a tame header over the bar.

Uruguay’s attacks had been thwarted by overhit passes and offside decisions. On 14 minutes they worked a free kick to Godin. The Atletico defender neatly scored but another offside flag halted the celebrations. The next Forlan free kick then found Cavani who hit a dreadful sliced shot wide of the mark. The same player was put through on 16m but fouled Umanu as the defender tidied up.

On 21 minutes Tejeda commited the sort of foul that would earn a straight red here. Forlan curled the resulting free kick goalwards and Lugano was dragged to the ground by Diaz. Cavani converted the penalty to put Uruguay 1-0 ahead.

Despite leading Uruguay looked pretty poor. Their sole tactic was hitting long balls up to Cavani and most of these were woefully long. Then on 25 minutes they worked the ball to Forlan and he skied his shot. Costa Rica were still able to fashion their own chances and Campbell worried Muslera with a screamer that flew just past the post.

Campbell was a constant threat, willing to battle with his markers and bring team-mates into play. Costa Rica won a series of corners without ever threatening to score. On 39 minutes Forlan got another shooting opportunity but blazed wide again. The crowd responded with a Mexican wave to demonstrate the lack of entertainment on view.

Costa Rica’s passing was good, frequently getting them up the park but in their own half some of the tackling was agricultural. The match stats show they avoided any cards – all 4 that were shown were to Uruguayans. Godin was perhaps the luckiest defender as he constantly grabbed opponents’ shirts in his own box but was never punished.

On 43 minutes Forlan took another pot at goal. This time the ball looped off a defender’s leg and seemed destined to drop under the bar until Navas made a splendid save, tipping it over. There was still time for another effort at the other end when the increasingly adventurous Gamboa bombed down the right and his cross was met firmly by the head of Campbell and flew just over the bar. HT 1-0.

The first yellow card arrived on 49 minutes for Lugano’s cynical trip on Campbell. From the free kick Muslera was able to smuggle away Ruiz’s downward header and the follow-up missed the mark. Then Cavani strode forward but sent another effort horribly wide.

He was immediately given an example of shooting as Gamboa chased down a long ball and crossed for Campbell to kill the ball with his first touch and smash home an equaliser with his 2nd. The Uruguayan keeper was rooted - the score was 1-1.

Two minutes later Ruiz was fouled by Gargano who also earned a yellow. Balanos lofted his free-kick to the back stick where Duarte dived bravely past flailing boots to head back across and into the goal. Costa Rica 2-1 up.

Uruguay responded with 2 substitutions and soon afterwards Maxi Pereira made a rare sortie into the box but his crossed was well blocked. Costa Rica went straight up the other end and the dangerous Campbell fired a long range effort that rattled the goal net as it flew by. A further foul gave Bolanos another chance to cross and Ruiz again climbed high but headed over.

Uruguay’s responses were becoming predictable with Cavani running onto long passes and regularly being caught offside. The shots count at the other end rose on 68m as Borges fired over. Then Uruguay created 2 chances in quick succession: Diaz was able to head Cavani’s cross clear but when the ball came back the forward’s header needed saving by Navas. Costa Rica survived the resulting corner.

Campbell continued to threaten each time the ball was played forward but the Uruguayan attacks became more desperate as time ticked away. Cubero became Costa Rica’s first substitute and Hernandez Uruguay’s last chance. The game ebbed and flowed until on 80m Caceres became the third name in the ref’s book. Urena came on for Ruiz and Navas took over the armband. Urena was sent up front with Campbell moved out to the right. The pair combined spectacularly on 84 minutes. Campbell’s fine pass sent Urena scampering into the box and his shot across the diving Muslera nestled in the far corner of the net: 3-1 and game over.

Uruguay still attempted to move forward but lacked the real quality to upset their now buoyant opponents. As the game moved into extra time, Costa Rica passed the ball at will and took the ball into corners – effectively taking the piss. On 93 minutes Maxi Rodriguez lost it. He was guilty of a wretched hack on Urena and rightly received a red card for his troubles.

Uruguay were short on ideas and failed to put their opponents under sustained pressure. Costa Rica grew in confidence the longer the game went on. Navas looked very comfortable in goal and their outfield players demonstrated admirable team spirit and no little skill.

Sound “there are no bad teams at world cup” KLAXON here.

Hardly needs saying but Joel Campbell was Man of the Match and England’s defenders will not relish facing him on this form.

Spot51