No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeItalia 90: The MovieWatch the trailer for 'Italia 90', a film on Costa Rica's improbable...

Watch the trailer for ‘Italia 90’, a film on Costa Rica’s improbable run in the 1990 World Cup

The Costa Rica-made film “Italia 90” released its first trailer this week. Sorry, no subtitles, but the story is simple enough to follow. Here’s the background: Costa Rica participated in its first-ever World Cup in Italy in 1990. The debutants faced overwhelming odds in a group with Brazil, Scotland and Sweden.

But due to the spectacular play in net by goalie Luis Gabelo Conejo — who features prominently in the trailer, outdated hairdo and all —  the Ticos upset Scotland and Sweden (and lost to Brazil in a tight match).

With the victories over the two European squads, Costa Rica advanced to the Round of 16. However, an injury kept Conejo out of the team’s next match with Czechoslovakia. Costa Rica promptly lost without its star goalkeeper, 4-1. Twenty-four years later, the Ticos have never repeated the feat of advancing past the tournament’s opening round. And the Italy 1990 team continues to live in Costa Rica folklore, representing the country’s lone successful run at the World Cup.

Italia 90 will have its premiere May 28, and will open countrywide on June 5. The film’s Tico director Miguel Gómez has promised a precise retelling of the team’s Cinderella tale, and the way it captivated the country. While the trailer looks a little heavy on the melodrama, the movie should be a lively and faithful look back at Costa Rica’s best performance at the world’s most popular sporting event.

And speaking of great performances, a tipster tell us a Tico Times writer makes a cameo in the film as the Scottish coach. (We’ll have a feature on his role Sunday morning.)

Trending Now

Trump Says He Will End US Aid to Colombia as Tensions Spike

United States President Donald Trump on Sunday accused his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, of tolerating drug production and announced he would end “large-scale payments...

Marriott Expands in Costa Rica with Adventure-Focused Hotel

Marriott is set to grow its footprint in Costa Rica by opening a new hotel in the Central Pacific area next year. The Santa...

Costa Rica’s Liberia Airport Fixes Runway Issues Overnight

Contractors began repairs on the runway at Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport this week, focusing on sections that did not meet required standards after...

Panama Denounces New U.S. Pressure Over Chinese Companies

Panama’s President José Raúl Mulino on Thursday accused the United States of pressuring Panamanian officials to reduce the presence of Chinese companies in the...

Guatemalan Migrant Children Fear Deportation by Trump

At 15, I.B. fled poverty and an abusive father in Guatemala. She emigrated alone to the United States, like hundreds of children living in...

Costa Rica Joins US-Led Bid for 2031 Women’s Soccer World Cup

The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica have teamed up to bid for hosting the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup. This marks the...
spot_img
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica