The 2018 World Cup is underway. CBS Sports will have you covered for each game, all the important news and more, as well as profiles of all of the teams.
Costa Rica's World Cup is over, but at least it won't be going home empty-handed. After a disappointing 2-0 loss to Brazil after playing Brazil to a 0-0 draw after 90 minutes, Costa Rica was eliminated, but the CONCACAF representative managed to tie with advancing Switzerland with a last-second penalty kick. It's a small consolation prize, but after a disappointing Cup sometimes a consolation prize is all you need.
Competition history
World Cup appearances: 5
Best finish: Quarterfinals in 2014
Last World Cup: 2014
Matches
Sunday, June 17: Serbia 1, Costa Rica 0
Friday, June 22: Brazil 2, Costa Rica 0
Wednesday, June 27: Costa Rica 2, Switzerland 2
Roster
Goalkeepers: Keylor Navas (Real Madrid), Patrick Pemberton (LDA), Leonel Moreira (Herediano).
Defenders: Cristian Gamboa (Celtic), Ian Smith (Norrkoping), Ronald Matarrita (NYCFC), Bryan Oviedo (Sunderland), Oscar Duarte (Espanyol), Giancarlo Gonzalez (Bologna), Francisco Calvo (Minnesota United), Kendall Waston (Vancouver Whitecaps), Johnny Acosta (Aguilas Dorados).
Midfielders: David Guzman (Portland Timbers), Yeltsin Tejeda (Lausanne), Celso Borges (Deportivo La Coruna), Randall Azofeifa (Herediano), Rodney Wallace (NYCFC), Bryan Ruiz (Sporting Lisbon), Daniel Colindres (Saprissa), Christian Bolanos (Saprissa)
Forwards: Johan Venegas (Saprissa), Joel Campbell (Real Betis), Marco Urena (LAFC).
Best Player
Navas, the man in net for Real Madrid. The 31-year-old is one of the to goalkeepers in the world with his cat-like reactions. He can be the difference maker for this team and will likely have to step up more than usual due to a suspect defense.
Player to watch
Joel Campbell. It's hard to imagine that he is just 25 years of age, as it feels like we've been hearing about him as the next big Central American star ever since he joined Arsenal in 2011. He's gone on loan six times since and didn't play much at Real Betis last season. He'll be fresh, but how will his form be?
Outlook
Costa Rica has to like its chances to finish second in this group, and it's main rival for that spot will likely be Switzerland. Los Ticos are talented but aging, with Ruiz at 32 and Christian Bolaños having just turned 34. This may be their last real big shot in a while to make another run, but they have enough to get to the quarterfinals after impressing in CONCACAF qualifying.
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