Italy 0-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica continued their impressive run with a second win a row after beating Uruguay and now Italy. They were the better side mentally and physically. The Nazionale will have now the difficult task to face a resurgent Celeste, magnified by their clinical finisher Luis Suarez. England is already going home early once again.
Jorge Luis Pinto, Costa Rica coach
It was a lovely game and we’re really pleased by how Bryan [Ruiz] got his goal at such an important time, just before the interval. We were playing against an incredible team and we’re very proud. I don’t want to seem like I’m being over-positive, but I honestly think that our defence were simply perfect today. It’s not easy tackling a team of Italy’s quality. We need to savour this win but also be ready to play well in our upcoming matches.
Cesare Prandelli, Italy coach
“We could see that it was a very slow pitch and that, what’s more, we knew we’d be up against an exceptionally well-organised and physically strong Costa Rica team, one which knows how to make the most of any open spaces. When you come up against a side that are more athletic than you, you have to be more organised than them – and we weren’t. Unfortunately, after we conceded the goal we weren’t capable to responding.
But now’s not the time to be negative, instead we need to recharge our batteries because in three days we’ll have another chance to clinch a Round of 16 spot. Costa Rica were well organised, quick and good at winning the ball. After we conceded the goal, we just couldn’t get back into it.”I’m sure we are going to step up a notch (for Uruguay). We have to, otherwise we are out. In truth, when the draw was made we knew this would be a tough group and that there was a good chance of finding ourselves in a position like this: taking on Uruguay in an absolutely decisive game”.
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