The first half didn’t fair well for the Italians as they gave up a goal to Costa Rica’s Bryan Ruiz. Thank the Gods that goal-line technology was implemented, because we surely would’ve had another Frank Lampard situation. But it’s not like the Azzurri didn’t have their chances; Mario Balotelli had two goal-scoring opportunities that didn’t go his way.
This miss being the most offensive.
And Junior Diaz ponies up this heavenly cross that finds Bryan Ruiz who capitalizes.
In a second half that was full of, well, nothing. The Ticos managed to keep Balotelli under wraps in the interim. Italy couldn’t create at all, any attacking attempt was quelled by an aggressive Costa Rican back-four. Additionally, Italy committed 11 offside calls, so there’s that.
With the win, Costa Rica has eliminated England and moved on to the knockout stages.