Costa Rica vies for redemption against Italy at 8 p.m. in second U-17 Women’s World Cup match

Costa Rica hosted its first ever World Cup event Saturday night. But the Under-17 Women’s World Cup team had its hosting debut spoiled by Venezuela. Venezuela crushed The Ticas, 3-0, in front of 35,000 fans at the National Stadium. After a couple of rest days, the Costa Rica team has a shot to redeem itself against Italy.

The teams meet at the National Stadium in La Sabana, in western San José, at 8 p.m.

If Costa Rica loses tonight, the team is almost assuredly eliminated from the World Cup, although The Ticas still face Zambia on Saturday. A tie doesn’t do Costa Rica much good either since Italy is already leading Group A alongside Venezuela. Italy defeated Zambia, 2-0, on the tournament’s opening day.

Venezuela takes on Zambia at 5 p.m. at the National Stadium. The top two teams in the group advance to the knockout round that begins March 27.

All four groups will be in action tonight and Wednesday at venues in San José, Tibás, Liberia and Alajuela. Tickets are available for all of the matches on FIFA’s website.

The women's Costa Rica Under-17 national team practices during an off-day last week Robert Isenberg / The Tico Times