Serbia 1, Costa Rica 0
Group E, Samara Arena, Samara
Aside from an absolute gem of a goal from captain Aleksandar Kolarov, the first match from Group E was a back-and-forth affair that didn’t pack much of a punch. Serbia takes the 1-0 victory against Costa Rica and moves into first place with three points — for now. Brazil, one of the favorites to win the tournament, plays Switzerland later today.
Serbia’s crafty strikers were expected to make things interesting against Los Ticos, and indeed, it felt as if the younger side should have won by more. Aleksander Mitrovic missed two fabulous chances and Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was able to create space in the midfield.
But all Serbia needed was one punch from Kolarov, a curling free-kick over Costa Rica’s wall that keeper Keylor Navas couldn’t reach despite launching himself into the upper-right corner in the 56th minute. It sure was a pretty one.
What’s next
Costa Rica: vs. Brazil in Saint Petersburg Stadium, June 22
Serbia: vs. Switzerland in Kaliningrad Stadium, June 22
***
In-Game Updates
Costa Rica almost makes things interesting
With 15 seconds to play, no less. Bolanos gets a good look on a second touch off a nice cross from Gamboa, but shoots high, and was offside anyway.
Serbia has two late looks . . . and comes up with nothing
Serbia isn’t really urgently pressing to score, but it has had a couple of chances late. Mitrovic had a particularly good look in the 87th minute but was too hesitant and lost his footing, and here we are.
Navas getting tested
Though Costa Rica’s leader only has two saves, he’s had more than enough work to do in the first 81 minutes. Serbia has taken nine shots on goal, and Navas has shown off his famously quick reflexes.
Still nothing from Costa Rica
Lots of side-to-side passing as Los Ticos look for an opening, and Sergej headed away their free kick from 30 yards out.
What a goal!
Serbia finally breaks through with an absolutely beautiful curling shot off a free kick from Aleksandar Kolarov to the top right corner just out of Navas’s reach.
Halftime update
Both teams have had their chances, but we’ve got a level game in Samara. Costa Rica looks the more comfortable side early and has a slight advantage with five shots compared to Serbia’s three.
Sergej tries again
That bicycle kick up the middle in front of Navas would have made a pretty goal, had Sergej not been (probably) offside . . . Serbia still hasn’t created anything.
Another missed chance for Serbia
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic got himself in good position behind the defense in the box but didn’t get much on his shot right in front of Navas. The good thing for Serbia is with the tempo of this game, they should have plenty more chances before the half.
Yellow card
Francisco Calvo slices through Tadic on a challenge and gets booked.
Pressing early
Aleksandar Kolarov takes Serbia’s first shot of the match from 25 yards out with a low, diagonal shot that whipped wide, and Mitrovic gets close to Navas in the 13th minute. Costa Rica, meantime, has a corner kick down left but missed a chance to score when Giancarlo Gonzalez headed the cross too high.
Starting lineups
Two midfield anchors for Serbia, and with today’s cap, his 104th, Branislav Ivanovic is officially Serbia’s most capped player.
The World Cup is here. Want smart analysis, opinions, viewing guides and more? . Every match day through the final July 15.
Team Profiles
Costa Rica
- Last World Cup showing: Quarterfinals, 2014.
- Best finish: 2014.
- Notable: Los Ticos are the oldest squad in the entire World Cup, with an average age of 29.5.
- FIFA world ranking: 23. ELO world ranking: 31.
Serbia
- Last World Cup showing: Group stage, 2010.
- Best finish: Fourth place, 1930 (as the Kingdom of Yugoslavia) and 1962 (as the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia)
- Notable: In its past two World Cups (in 2010 and 2006), Serbia has won just one game — a 1-0 victory against Germany in the group stage in 2010.
- FIFA world ranking: 34. ELO world ranking: 22.
Players to watch
Not to be dramatic, but the fate of the Costa Rican side in the group stage rests almost entirely on Keylor Navas’s shoulders. The 31-year-old Real Madrid keeper is one of the best in the world in goal and should have plenty of confidence after winning a third-straight Champions League final in May, but he may be tested in the group stage behind aging defense. He’ll likely face off against the young Serbian striker Aleksander Mitrovic, 23, who leads an attacking line that’s grown considerably as a unit over the past two years. Mitrovic had six goals in nine World Cup qualifiers and helped Fulham gain promotion to the Premier League with 12 goals this season. Mitrovic will be backed up in the midfield by the always solid Nemanja Matic, who can help control tempo from the center of the field. Look to the flashier Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusvan Tadic, wearing the No. 10 jersey, to provide Serbia’s creative spark from the midfield.
Read more about the World Cup: