FIFA World Cup 2018: Costa Rica Depart From The Tournament With A Point Against Switzerland

Switzerland clashed with Costa Rica in what was the third game both the teams played at the FIFA World Cup 2018 in Russia. The final scoreline of Switzerland vs Costa Rica was 2-2 on Thursday.

Switzerland had started the tournament on a positive note. The team saw out a draw against one of the favourites to win the tournament Brazil. They followed that feat with a win against Serbia in a come from behind performance. The players have shown exceptional character in the crucial ties and put themselves in a good place for further qualification.

Costa Rica, on the other hand, were outplayed against Serbia. When they faced Brazil in the second game, the team had done a good job of not letting their opponents run past them, but they had a lapse of concentration eventually. Two goals were conceded after 90 minutes, and hopes of the Central American nation to emulate the success in the previous edition of the tournament vanished.

This game had more significant important to Costa Rica than Switzerland. They needed to prove it to themselves before others that they belonged here.

The team came out attacking and looked a much better unit than what we had seen. They controlled the possession and the pace of the game. Till the 29 minutes mark, it was all Costa Rica until their European opponents broke free and scored a goal against the run of play. This was the first time in the tournament that Switzerland was leading.

If Costa Rica weren’t fired up to show that they won’t go down fighting, this goal was the point where they threw the kitchen sink in. Even though the first half ended with the same scoreline, Costa Rica was out in the second looking to get back in the game.

Their perseverance bore fruit, as in the 56th minute they finally scored their first goal of the tournament. Kendall Watson rose highest from a Joel Campbell corner and nodded the ball past Yann Sommer.

However, even though the team looked like they would score another and take some pride back home, it didn’t happen. Switzerland held their own and substitute Josip Drimic scored to retake the lead for The Red Crosses.

But, all was not over for Costa Rica as a penalty was awarded to the side in the 92nd minute. Captain Bryan Ruiz stepped to take it and he it to the underside of the bar. The ball then ricocheted off the keeper to go in giving the Los Ticos their deserved point from this match.

The Swiss will be taking on Sweden in the knockout phase, while Brazil will meet Mexico.