Report: Costa Rica vs Serbia
Costa Rica will hope to start another run to the World Cup quarter-finals when they face Serbia in Sunday's Group E opener in Samara.
The Adidas Telstar 18, the official ball of the tournament, is pictured ahead of the Costa Rica’s press conference at the Samara Arena in Samara on June 16, 2018 on the eve of the Russia 2018 World Cup Group E football match between Costa Rica and Serbia. / AFP PHOTO / MANAN VATSYAYANA
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Los Ticos sprung a major surprise in Brazil four years ago when they finished top of a group featuring England, Italy and Uruguay, going all the way to the last eight, where they lost on penalties to the Netherlands.
Oscar Ramirez’s current squad contains many of the heroes from the 2014 World Cup, with the likes of Keylor Navas, Bryan Ruiz and Joel Campbell back for another crack at the big boys of international football.
Costa Rica finished second in the CONCACAF qualification standings to book their place in a fifth World Cup, but their form has dipped since, losing five of the last seven friendlies.
In contrast, Serbia have recorded some positive results ahead of their second World Cup as an independent nation, thrashing Bolivia 5-1 in their final warm-up match.
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