Costa Rica shock Italy

JAVIER SORIANO / AFP

Bryan Ruiz headed the goal Friday that gave Costa Rica a shock win over Italy who failed to score in a World Cup finals match for the first time since 1998.

Victory sent Costa Rica into the second round for the first time since 1990 and meant that Group D rivals England crash out. Italy still have work to do to get through. They must get at least a draw in their final match against Uruguay.

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli said it will take a far better performance for the Azzurri to make amends against Uruguay on June 24.

"It's going to be an especially challenging match. We played them last year in the Confederations Cup and after we played well for 35 minutes, they took over," said Prandelli.

"Today our approach was wrong and we were just too slow. After we conceded the goal, we just couldn't get back into it."

Ruiz struck on the stroke of half-time in Recife after Costa Rica had a strong penalty appeal turned down. Costa Rica had other chances and were a constant threat to the Italian defence.

Coach Jorge Luis Pinto and his players could not hide their joy at the final whistle, but the 61-year-old Colombian said: "We're not resting on our laurels. Our World Cup is far from over.

"It wasn't easy to come up against a team like Italy with the players and experience they have.

"We were worried about (Andrea) Pirlo, but we shut down his space and that helped to isolate (Mario) Balotelli.

"We also did well in possession, which is not easy against the Italians."

Italy were a shadow of the side that beat England 2-1 last Saturday. It was a night of misplaced passes and slap-dash defending.

Pirlo made one sublime chip over the top of the Costa Rican defence which found Balotelli in space, only for the AC Milan striker to loft his effort off target.

Balotelli, who scored the winner against England last Saturday, pounced on a header from Pirlo a minute later but Keylor Navas blocked the striker's fierce drive from the edge of the area.

Arsenal's Joel Campbell looked to have won a cast iron penalty in the 43rd minute. He pounced on a mistake by Giorgio Chiellini and broke into the Italian penalty area where he was barged over by the Juventus defender.

Chilean referee Enrique Osses waved away furious appeals by the Costa Ricans. Pinto erupted on the touchline.

Two minutes later, Pinto was jumping for joy as Ruiz got the goal Costa Rica deserved.

Gianluigi Buffon, who sat out the England win due to an ankle knock, failed to come for a Junior Diaz cross to the far post and Ruiz produced a superb header which beat the 2006 World Cup winning goalkeeper.

Prandelli shook up his side, introducing forward Antonio Cassano for Thiago Motta in the second-half. Italy's game did not improve though.

Marcos Urena replaced Campbell on 74 minutes and his fresh legs kept Italy on the defensive.

Urena ran on to one a long ball lofted from midfield, only for Chiellini to block the striker's shot on the edge of the area.

Italy's last chance was a drive from Cerci that smacked off the face of Giancarlo Gonzalez, but his effort was offside.

Costa Rica lead Group D with six points, while Italy and Uruguay have three each. Costa Rica play England and Italy meet Uruguay on Tuesday.

-- (c) Copyright AFP 2014-06-21

I started watching that game, and then turned it off - got tired of watching Italian players continually falling on the ground writhing in mock pain. Glad CR won.

I started watching that game, and then turned it off - got tired of watching Italian players continually falling on the ground writhing in mock pain. Glad CR won.

Italian players falling down pissed more than likely

After the England game we heard from some all about how the Italians had deliberately given England lots of chances, deliberately didn't have really any themselves apart from the two that they took, and were deliberately playing down a gear and could have stepped up a gear or two had they needed to. It wasn't that they didn't play well and got a bit lucky in taking their chances and lucky in England not, but rather part of carefully worked genius tactical master-plan, that the Italians are so good at.

Think this result might put that above tosh in a bit of doubt.

After the England game we heard from some all about how the Italians had deliberately given England lots of chances, deliberately didn't have really any themselves apart from the two that they took, and were deliberately playing down a gear and could have stepped up a gear or two had they needed to. It wasn't that they didn't play well and got a bit lucky in taking their chances and lucky in England not, but rather part of carefully worked genius tactical master-plan, that the Italians are so good at.

Think this result might put that above tosh in a bit of doubt

you've been talking to that fortune teller,the one I spoke with this morning,she said England will finish 3rd after beating costa rica 4-0. she also said Uruguay will beat the itais 3-2,so palm my hand with a 1,000bht.note and I will tell you who will win the world cup ok.who is it netherland. comedians they are everywhere.

After the England game we heard from some all about how the Italians had deliberately given England lots of chances, deliberately didn't have really any themselves apart from the two that they took, and were deliberately playing down a gear and could have stepped up a gear or two had they needed to. It wasn't that they didn't play well and got a bit lucky in taking their chances and lucky in England not, but rather part of carefully worked genius tactical master-plan, that the Italians are so good at.

Think this result might put that above tosh in a bit of doubt.

I did not read that anywhere.

What I do believe that the Italians are not as good as some may think, I think they're pretty average, but the English were even worse.

France and Germany are the teams to watch out for.

After the England game we heard from some all about how the Italians had deliberately given England lots of chances, deliberately didn't have really any themselves apart from the two that they took, and were deliberately playing down a gear and could have stepped up a gear or two had they needed to. It wasn't that they didn't play well and got a bit lucky in taking their chances and lucky in England not, but rather part of carefully worked genius tactical master-plan, that the Italians are so good at.

Think this result might put that above tosh in a bit of doubt.

I did not read that anywhere.

What I do believe that the Italians are not as good as some may think, I think they're pretty average, but the English were even worse.

France and Germany are the teams to watch out for.

The line about them having deliberately played within themselves and having another gear against England was stated here a number of times. Neither was true. They were crap. England played better. But they put away their chances. We didn't.

After the England game we heard from some all about how the Italians had deliberately given England lots of chances, deliberately didn't have really any themselves apart from the two that they took, and were deliberately playing down a gear and could have stepped up a gear or two had they needed to. It wasn't that they didn't play well and got a bit lucky in taking their chances and lucky in England not, but rather part of carefully worked genius tactical master-plan, that the Italians are so good at.

Think this result might put that above tosh in a bit of doubt.

I did not read that anywhere.

What I do believe that the Italians are not as good as some may think, I think they're pretty average, but the English were even worse.

France and Germany are the teams to watch out for.

The line about them having deliberately played within themselves and having another gear against England was stated here a number of times. Neither was true. They were crap. England played better. But they put away their chances. We didn't.

Sorry to say, but no, England did not play better than Italy. I'll admit though it may have looked that way to some who don't understand the modern day game. The basics of English football has to change, until that does they'll need many foreigners in order to compete at club level and the national teams of all the Brits will be nowhere they're potential. Because I really think the potential is there.

Sorry to say, but no, England did not play better than Italy. I'll admit though it may have looked that way to some who don't understand the modern day game. The basics of English football has to change, until that does they'll need many foreigners in order to compete at club level and the national teams of all the Brits will be nowhere they're potential. Because I really think the potential is there.

If every detail of that game remained as it happened for all those 90 minutes, but with a couple of our chances being taken rather than missed, as they easily could have been with some sharper finishing, would you or anyone argue that we didn't play better than them? Of course not.

Anyway, it's all academic really. Doesn't matter how well you play, if you don't win, it counts for nawt.

Italy played well enough to beat England. But the Italian team has not shown anything exceptional yet in this tournament.

Italy to go through and we see more of Pirlo, or Italy don't make it and we're spared the Balotelli show ? Tough one.

I like Balotelli.

Tough one to predict Uruguay-Italy.

¡Porque, que rica la Costa!

^

Definite penalty and a red card imho.

I also like Balotelli, he is a good striker, but sadly we only saw brief glimpses of the Balotelli we know in the game. Pirlo is a brilliant midfielder, very creative and tactical but Costa Ricans managed to mark him effectively. Overall, and this is my opinion only, I think that Costa Rica presented a more dynamic, cohesive team. They had the spirit and they played to win.

Italy needs a tie and they can get if they step it up. Uruguay has the crowd on their side and the crowd can make a stadium very hot indeed.

It is good to see the underdogs shine though, no one expected that Costa Rica would defeat two teams that are considered football giants.

I like Balotelli.

Tough one to predict Uruguay-Italy.

not tough for me. Uruguay over Italy; 3- 1

Argh, this sucks.

ooops, this was meant for the Argentina-Iran game. Wrong thread

I also like Balotelli, he is a good striker, but sadly we only saw brief glimpses of the Balotelli we know in the game.

The Balotelli we know is petulant, moody and inconsistent. Produces flashes of brilliance from time to time and then totally disappears, usually to sulk about something or other. Bell end of a man.

Hahahaha so just like the way he was in the game then rixalex. The moodiness has always been an issue, I guess we saw that in this game and many others.

Could see Balotelli at Arsenal.

Wenger will know how to harness him without putting shackles on.

Hahahaha so just like the way he was in the game then rixalex. The moodiness has always been an issue, I guess we saw that in this game and many others.

It's not that i don't sympathize by the way. I mean, the lad has a very difficult life to try and cope with. Money, women, fast cars... who needs to be burdened with any of that as a young man?

Only got the lifestyle cos he's a brilliant footballer.

If he was so brilliant he wouldn't have made such a pigs ear of his time in England. He's a decent player at times, and if he sorted out his up his own arse attitude, he might even be better than that, but brilliant? A way to go in my opinion.

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Up to you.

If he goes to Arsenal he will be dangerous.

Just like Suarez at Liverpool.

And who got Luis sorted?

Class act Rodgers.

One of the hottest games in the next few days will Uruguay - Italy.

For 2nd spot in group D

England's out of the running, and Costa Rica are 'in like Flynn'.

Uruguay have to win, whereas a Italy can go through with a win or tie.

Viva Uruguay!