Carli Lloyd became the first woman to score a hat trick in a World Cup final as she inspired the United States to a 5-2 demolition of defending champions Japan on Sunday.
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.
Costa Rica’s all-time top scorer Karla Villalobos came off the bench and scored the spectacular equalizer that allowed Las Ticas to make it to second place in their group.
Football is by far Costa Rica’s favorite sport, so it's not surprising that 2014 will be remembered as a year of impressive performances by both "Las Ticas" and "Los Ticos."
Costa Rican footballers took a total of 10 awards at the annual Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Awards announced on Tuesday, including Tico goalie Keylor Navas, who won Player of the Year.
Las Ticas moved forward with a perfect 3-0-0 record that allowed them to finish on top of Group B in a tournament that will award three direct spots for FIFA’s World Cup in Canada next year.
