No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeFútbolFIFA Women’s World Cup: Brazil’s only goal is enough to eliminate Costa...

FIFA Women’s World Cup: Brazil’s only goal is enough to eliminate Costa Rica

Costa Rica was close, they tried hard, but their efforts fell short as a late goal by Brazil’s Raquel Fernandes just seven minutes to the end stopped short the Women’s National Team’s dream of advancing to the round of 16 on its first participation in a FIFA World Cup.

As expected Brazil showed a better level of play, and Costa Rica in the first half barely managed to reach the opponent’s side of the pitch on only a couple of opportunities.

Brazil’s control of the game was not overwhelming, but as happened in two previous games, it was enough to beat the opponent.

The victory allowed Brazil to qualify as the best team of Group E, with a perfect record of nine points from three wins.

South Korea will join the South Americans in the next round after defeating Spain 2-1 and tallying four points. Costa Rica finished third with two points, and Spain ended at the bottom with just one.

The South Koreans’ victory also prevented La Sele from qualifying. All other teams that ended third captured at least three points.

Brazil’s coach Vadao left Marta, Cristiane and Formiga — three of his best players — on the bench for the clash. Nevertheless, the team effectively managed the few Tica offensive plays in the game.

In the second half, Costa Rica’s coach Amelia Valverde again sent in the team’s top scorer, Karla Villalobos at 72, and Las Ticas’ game showed a little improvement, but it was not enough.

Villalobos had some chances to score an equalizer, and she also led various offensive plays that ended with shots that went wide or were caught by Brazilian goalie Luciana.

Following Brazil’s late goal, coach Valverde sent her players to the front looking for a tie that would have help them advance in their group. Raquel Rodríguez, Melissa Herrera and captain Shirley Cruz attempted some shots, and as promised, they battled to penetrate the Brazilian defense. But the equalizer never came.

Brazil advanced to the knockout round without allowing a goal and will now face Australia on Sunday.

Costa Rica 0-1 Brazil

Goals:

Brazil: Fernandes (83)

Lineups:

Costa Rica: Dinnia Díaz, Diana Saenz, Carol Sánchez, Wendy Acosta, Lixy Rodríguez, Katherine Alvarado (Sánchez, 86′), Raquel Rodríguez Cedeno, Shirley Cruz, Melissa Herrera, Cristin Granados (Venegas, 57′), María Barrantes (Villalobos, 72′). Coach: Amelia Valverde.

Brazil: Luciana, Poliana, Mónica (Gessica, 66′), Rafaelle, Tamires, Raquel Fernandes, Maurine, Andressa, Rosana, Darlene (Beatriz, 59′), Gabriela (Rafaelle, 78′). Coach: Vadao.

Referees: Thalia Mitsi (GRE). Chrysoula Kourompylia (GRE), Angela Kyriakou (CYP).

Stadium: Moncton Stadium

Trending Now

Costa Rica Proposes Date for Chaves Immunity Review

Costa Rica's lawmakers took a step forward today in addressing the latest push to strip President Rodrigo Chaves of his legal protections. The Legislative...

New Poison Dart Frog Species Discovered in Peru’s Amazon

Peruvian researchers have identified a new poison dart frog in the Amazon rainforest, adding to the region's rich array of wildlife. The tiny creature,...

Back North from Costa Rica: An Expat’s Culture Shock

I am presently away from Costa Rica. I am in a foreign country. I was born here, but it is now a different place...

Costa Rica’s Nayara Springs Named Among World’s Best Hotels by MICHELIN

Nayara Springs, a secluded adults-only resort near Arenal Volcano National Park, has claimed the highest spot in the MICHELIN Guide's new hotel rankings. The...

Guatemala Joins Costa Rica and Ecuador in Building Anti-Gang Prisons

The Guatemalan government has put forward a new bill aimed at hitting gangs harder, with steeper sentences and a dedicated high-security prison, as the...

Costa Rica Allows Cryptocurrency Donations for Political Parties

Costa Rica's electoral authorities have approved a groundbreaking shift, letting political parties accept donations in select cryptocurrencies for the first time. This move, led...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
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