World Cup 2014: Costa Rica Defeats Italy, 1-0
ByINFOHUB365
Costa Rica does it again. With a gritty performance and a clear strategy that they executed for perfection, los Ticos have gone clear on top of one of the tournament's most difficult groups and guaranteed themselves a spot in the knock-out rounds.
In a group with Italy, England and Uruguay, it would have been considered folly to predict that Costa Rica would be on top of the bracket after two matches, but there it is.
The Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, said before the match that he expected his players to suffer, but he was referring to the weather, not their performance.
The Italians suffered from poor passing, lack of imagination and simply a lack of will. They were caught offside 11 times, evidence of their failure to adjust and adapt.
They came out flat and in the first 45 minutes there were only two clear chances on goal, both from Balotelli. He could not capitalize on either.
The first half ended with what appears to have been a blown call by the referee, who did not grant a penalty after the Costa Rican forward, Campbell, was taken down in the box. But only moments later, Ruiz rose to meet a lovely cross from Diaz to put his team ahead.
The Azzurri started the second half with a bit more energy but then faded once again.
The Costa Ricans were able to neutralize Pirlo in the midfield. The Italian playmaker was never given time or space to create and was essentially taken out of the match.
Balotelli's only contribution in the second half was a fit of anger that earned him a yellow card.
And it was not just the Italians who suffered.
English fans around the world had been counting on Italy to keep their hopes alive. This was not the result they wanted but it was a deserved outcome for the Costa Rican squad, who continue to impress.
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
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30': Brilliant Pirlo
In a flash, the game went from static to dramatic when Pirlo sent a beautiful ball up field to Balotelli, leaving the big man one-on-one with the Costa Rican keeper. But he scuffed the shot.
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Costa Rica does it again. With a gritty performance and a clear strategy that they executed for perfection, los Ticos have gone clear on top of one of the tournament's most difficult groups and guaranteed themselves a spot in the knock-out rounds.
In a group with Italy, England and Uruguay, it would have been considered folly to predict that Costa Rica would be on top of the bracket after two matches, but there it is.
The Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, said before the match that he expected his players to suffer, but he was referring to the weather, not their performance.
The Italians suffered from poor passing, lack of imagination and simply a lack of will. They were caught offside 11 times, evidence of their failure to adjust and adapt.
They came out flat and in the first 45 minutes there were only two clear chances on goal, both from Balotelli. He could not capitalize on either.
The first half ended with what appears to have been a blown call by the referee, who did not grant a penalty after the Costa Rican forward, Campbell, was taken down in the box. But only moments later, Ruiz rose to meet a lovely cross from Diaz to put his team ahead.
The Azzurri started the second half with a bit more energy but then faded once again.
The Costa Ricans were able to neutralize Pirlo in the midfield. The Italian playmaker was never given time or space to create and was essentially taken out of the match.
Balotelli's only contribution in the second half was a fit of anger that earned him a yellow card.
And it was not just the Italians who suffered.
English fans around the world had been counting on Italy to keep their hopes alive. This was not the result they wanted but it was a deserved outcome for the Costa Rican squad, who continue to impress.
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"Suffering" is Expected as Italy Takes on Costa Rica
Javier Soriano/Agence France-Presse — Getty ImagesA view of the Pernambuco Arena in Recife before the Italy-Costa Rica match on Friday.
Good afternoon. It is a lovely spring day here in New York City but the boys in Brazil will be taking the field under much harsher conditions.
Before the kickoff in the Italy v. Costa Rica match – which will play a role in the destinies of all four teams in Group D – the temperature in the northeastern coastal city of Recife was hovering around 80 degrees but the humidity is stifling.
The Italian coach, Cesare Prandelli, said he expects the weather to be worse than what they experienced in the Amazonian city of Manaus, where they beat England 2-1.
"I really believe that we will suffer," he told reporters before the match. "But we have an idea of what we're going to be doing on the pitch."
And if they do what they have done so far in this tournament, it will be to play an attractive brand of soccer that features the creative genius of Andrea Pirlo and the explosive striking power of Mario Balotelli.
The Italians completed an astounding 93 percent of all their passes against England and a win today would put them in firm control of their fortunes.
But Costa Rica can no longer be underestimated. In their stunning opening match upset over Uruguay, 3-1, the world became familiar with a bright, young new talent, Joel Campbell.
Campbell and the rest of the squad will be looking to build on momentum from their victory to pull of yet another shocker.
It promises to be another day of great fun.
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Buffon Back in Goal
The starting line-ups have been announced and the veteran Italian keeper, Gianluigi Buffon, is back in net after missing the first match due to injury.
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England Turns Blue
English fans, still reeling from their heartbreaking defeat to Uruguay yesterday, will embrace their inner Italian today. A convincing victory by the Azzurri today is the only outcome that will give their team a chance to get out of the group. Even then, other things need to go in their favor, not the least of which is their own performance in their final match. But when you do not control your own fate, hope is all you have.
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A Personal Note
The first taste your blogger today ever had of the World Cup came in 1994, when the Italians took on Ireland at Giants Stadium.
The Italian side was staying in my home town, Basking Ridge, and I was lucky enough to score a ticket to their opening match. The Italians lost that day, but hearing the rousing Italian anthem just now, the only memory I have
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The game has begun.
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7': First Chance to Costa Rica
Costa Rica is strong on set pieces. They win the first corner kick of the match. They look dangerous, but nothing comes of it. Both teams seem to be easing into the match.
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15': A Slow Pace to Start
Laurence Griffiths/Getty ImagesCosta Rica's Christian Bolanos, right, and Italy's Andrea Barzagli during Friday's match.
It was unlikely, given the humidity in Recife, that the pace of today's match was going to be blistering. And with 15 minutes played, both teams seem content to be patient as they look for a moment to strike.
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22': An Even Match So Far
Costa Rica has looked dangerous on several corner kicks. But overall, the match has been pretty evenly contested and neither keeper being greatly challenged. A tie would be a terrible thing for England. Well aware of what the Brits want out of this match, Mario Balotelli said if Italy wins, he wants a kiss on the cheek from the Queen.
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28': A Slow Slog
Every time the ball goes up to Balotelli, it looks like there may be a threat, one the Italians have yet to realize. For the most part, though, the players seem to be doing an awful lot of walking.
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30': Brilliant Pirlo
In a flash, the game went from static to dramatic when Pirlo sent a beautiful ball up field to Balotelli, leaving the big man one-on-one with the Costa Rican keeper. But he scuffed the shot.
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