WORLD CUP 2014: Italy 0 - 1 Costa Rica

Celso Borges headed over from a corner early on, but it was Italy's Mario Balotelli who had the best of the chances in the first half-hour.


Two minutes later and Balotelli was in again, this time he went for power but too close to Navas, and the Costa Rica keeper was able to claim at the second attempt. With half-time looming, Costa Rica were denied a blatant penalty.

Joel Campbell, the Arsenal striker on loan at Olympiakos, intercepted a pass, surged into the penalty box and was knocked over from behind by Giorgio Chiellini but Chilean referee Enrique Osses inexplicably waved 'play on'.

Italy mounted a series of attacks but Navas was having a blinder in the Costa Rica goal, first tipping over Matteo Darmian's angled drive, and then turning aside Pirlo's free-kick after Cassano had hurled himself to the floor to earn it.

Costa Rica still looked dangerous on the break and Gianluigi Buffon had to be quick out of his goal to clear the danger with Campbell about to pounce. Italy continued to hustle and bustle but the Ticos kept the danger away from their goal, while at the other end Chiellini's block denied substitute Marcos Urena.

[ Source - DailyMotion ] >> Match Highlights <<

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