It wasn’t my intention to write on this game before it started, but after witnessing 90 minutes of absolutely captivating soccer, I know feel compelled.
Costa Rica came into this World Cup an afterthought by many (including myself), but today they sent out a clear message that they aren’t just here to make up numbers.
Uruguay, while missing star forward Luis Suarez, was expected to walk away with this game and for the first 45 minutes at least everything was going to plan. Edison Cavani put the Uruguayans ahead in the 24th minute after he converted a penalty following a clumsy foul in the box by a Costa Rica defender.
The Uruguayans took that lead into the break, but when the teams returned to the field, two completely different squads showed up.
Costa Rica danger man Joel Campbell, who had been making a nuisance of himself all game with his skill and pace, finally put his team on the board with a wonderful strike then got his monies worth in celebrations.
Oscar Duarte would give the underdogs the lead in the 57th minute before Campbell provided a lovely pass to substitute Marco Urena in the 84th to finish off the Uruguayans. The frustration of losing a supposedly winnable game got to Maxi Pereira as he was red carded for this nasty challenge on Campbell.
Now the Uruguayans have about five games to get themselves sorted out and Luis Suarez fit to face the real giants of Group D.