Uruguay failed to overcome the absence of Luis Suarez as
a shock 3-1 loss to Costa Rica left their FIFA World Cup dream in tatters.
With Italy and England completing a strong-looking Group
D, Costa Rica were expected to be the whipping boys even with star striker
Suarez - still recovering from a knee injury - unable to take the field in
Fortaleza on Saturday.
The game went to script initially as Costa Rica's
defensive gameplan was ruined by Edinson Cavani putting Uruguay ahead from the
penalty spot in the 24th minute.
However, the two-time world champions were then left
stunned as their opponents counter-attacked with purpose and scored three
second-half goals to spring a major surprise.
Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte found the net in a
stunning three-minute period, before substitute Marco Urena made the game safe
in the closing stages.
With talisman Suarez seemingly too unfit to leave the
bench, a stunned Uruguay were unable to avoid a loss that leaves their hopes of
progression looking bleak. An injury-time red card for Maxi Pereira only served
to compound their misery.
There were plenty of early warning signs as Uruguay
struggled to break down their opponents' 4-5-1 formation; the first time they
did, Diego Godin saw his stabbed finish ruled out for offside.
Their annoyance grew stronger soon after, too, as the
usually-reliable Cavani missed a golden opportunity when volleying wide from a
deflected Diego Forlan free-kick.
Costa Rica's failure to heed that warning proved costly
as Junior Diaz hauled down Diego Lugano in the box from an identical Forlan
set-piece.
Cavani made no mistake this time as he arrowed a penalty
beyond the dive of Keylor Navas.
Yet Jorge Luis Pinto's side found a response, showing
they had the attacking capabilities to match their defensive nous in a
promising spell highlighted by Campbell firing narrowly wide with a fizzing
strike from distance.
The underdogs were soon indebted to a stunning save from
Navas, though, as he turned Forlan's deflected effort over just before
half-time.
It was Navas' opposite number Fernando Muslera who had to
be alert immediately after the break, keeping out Duarte's header from
point-blank range.
He could do little moments later, however, as Campbell
fired home a half-volley after fine work from Cristian Gamboa.
Things soon went from bad to worse for Uruguay, Duarte
stealing in at the back post, albeit with a suspicion of offside, to head home
another fine Gamboa delivery.
Dangerous pot-shots from Campbell and Bryan Ruiz
threatened further damage, yet there was soon a warning flash at the other end
Cavani forced a good reactionary stop from Navas.
Hopes of a Uruguay comeback were ultimately extinguished
with six minutes remaining as Campbell's wonderful throughball freed Urena, who
belied the tight angle by superbly sliding beyond the onrushing Muslera.
If that goal added further gloss for Costa Rica, the
game's last flashpoint summed up Uruguay's evening as Pereira was sent off for
a wild hack at the impressive Campbell.
Culled from Soccerway
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