Costa Rica shock Italy 1-0, send home England

KINGSTON, Jamaica – Costa Rica on Friday defeated Italy 1-0 to move into the knockout round of the World Cup and send home the English.

In a group with three of the World’s top rated teams the CONCACAF minnows belied their underdog status to first shock Uruguay 3-1 in their opening match.

Italy will next play Uruguay to decide the runner up from the group.

Costa Rica got the lone goal in the match with a thumping header by Bryan Ruiz from a cross on the stroke of half-time.

The Costa Rican goal came as vindication for a penalty not given moments before when Joel Campbell with a clear chance on goal was pushed over in the box by Giorgio Chiellini.

The Costa Ricans matched their more illustrious opponents stride for stride throughout the contest, at times appearing the more complete team.

Italy nonetheless had their moments; Mario Balotelli on 31 minutes into the first half muffed a simple chance, kicking wide with only an onrushing Costa Rica goalkeeper Navas to beat.

Moments later Navas again denied Balotelli, blocking a powerful shot from the edge of the 18-yard box.

A frustrated Balotelli was shown a yellow card late in the second half after pulling down a defender in an off the ball incident.