How many would have predicted such a fairytale journey of the Costa 
Ricans! Surely not many. And they have turned the tables beating two of the world’s top-10 teams to qualify into the second round of the world cup after 24 years from the Group of Death. It was Uruguay who lost to the Costa Ricans in the first match and now it’s Italy. They have knocked out England even before they have played against them.
The 44th minute header from captain Brian Ruiz has left the Italians and the Uruguayans hanging on a thin thread and has forced the Englishmen to pack their bags for an early flight back to England. The quality of football throughout the match never lived up to expectations as both teams did not want to concede a goal. Costa Rican defense stood tall and were up to everything that the Italians threw at them. Might be the Italians were a bit too complacent and took their opponents a bit too lightly and consequently pay a heavy penalty. Brian Ruiz the experienced campaigner gave his 
nation the lead just minutes after the referee had denied them a penalty. It was sort of a justice being done when Ruiz headed in past Buffon from an inch perfect cross from the left. The ball hit the crossbar and then dropped beyond the goalline. The goal line technology came into action once again to confirm Costa Rica’s 4th goal in the tournament.
The second half saw Italy trying to go forward in search of the equalizer. But the Costa Rican think tank adopted great defensive tactics to prevent the Azurris from getting a sniff of goal. Italian manager Prandelli brought on Cassano and Cerci but to no effect. In the end it was a heavy defeat after a dream start to the world cup when they beat England 2-1.
As it stands now, the encounter between Italy and Uruguay turns out to be the potential decider of the second qualifier from the group of death. A draw might save Italy as they have a better goal difference than Uruguay but the South Americans need a win to get through. It’s really getting exciting, courtesy to Costa Rica who has come as a real surprise package for the whole world of football.
