Uruguay 1 Costa Rica 3 Video Highlights
2 min read
Another team humbled by a well organised underdog. I expected Costa Rica to be difficult to beat but the manner of their victory still came as a surprise.
Uruguay not winning was not a surprise, losing 3-1 though was. The game had all the makings of a banana skin and so it proved. Teams have their day and for this Uruguay side it was the last World Cup. They finished fifth in qualifying and only got to the World Cup through a play-off against Jordan.
Costa Rica had a keeper who plays for Livorno in Italy and the expectation from many was that he would need to be at his best but that didn't give credit to a well drilled team.
Uruguay however were without the injured Lois Suárez, who won't be match fit against England either, he may well play but he won't be 100% fit. In his place was former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán, now an ageing 35, one of four players over 30 in the side.
Martin O'Neil took his Irish side to play Uruguay before the tournament and after the game said their defence is weak, if you stop the front two you can beat them.
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Costa Rica went one down early but then turned the game on it's head. Italy play Costa Rica next and a win will secure their passage through. Whoever wins the Uruguay v England game will have a chance.
If Italy beat Costa Rica they would only need a point to be certain of going through as winners against Uruguay but Uruguay would have to beat them to have any chance.
England simply must now beat Uruguay, a draw would mean hoping Uruguay do not beat Italy and leave us having to beat Costa Rica while they would possibly only need a draw to go through.
Uruguay not winning was not a surprise, losing 3-1 though was. The game had all the makings of a banana skin and so it proved. Teams have their day and for this Uruguay side it was the last World Cup. They finished fifth in qualifying and only got to the World Cup through a play-off against Jordan.
Costa Rica had a keeper who plays for Livorno in Italy and the expectation from many was that he would need to be at his best but that didn't give credit to a well drilled team.
Uruguay however were without the injured Lois Suárez, who won't be match fit against England either, he may well play but he won't be 100% fit. In his place was former Manchester United striker Diego Forlán, now an ageing 35, one of four players over 30 in the side.
Martin O'Neil took his Irish side to play Uruguay before the tournament and after the game said their defence is weak, if you stop the front two you can beat them.
Recent Stories:
Sherwood - Spurs missed a ball-playing midfielder
Ardiles - Centre-back Ezequiel Garay is one to watch
Lloris, Sherwood, Darlow, Pirlo
Teddy Sheringham - I'd have taken Defoe
Spain 1 Holland 5 Video Highlights
Banega, Van der Vaart, Crouch, Morata
Costa Rica went one down early but then turned the game on it's head. Italy play Costa Rica next and a win will secure their passage through. Whoever wins the Uruguay v England game will have a chance.
If Italy beat Costa Rica they would only need a point to be certain of going through as winners against Uruguay but Uruguay would have to beat them to have any chance.
England simply must now beat Uruguay, a draw would mean hoping Uruguay do not beat Italy and leave us having to beat Costa Rica while they would possibly only need a draw to go through.
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