World Cup: Kolarov's sublime free-kick sees Serbia win against Costa Rica
With games against Brazil and Switzerland lying in wait in Group E. This is a crucial opening game for Serbia and Costa Rica to press their credentials
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Kolarov. (@FifaWorldCup twitter)
Serbia got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start as Aleksandar Kolarov's sublime free-kick secured a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica.
Aleksandar Kolarov's sensational free-kick proved the difference as Serbia got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a 1-0 victory over Costa Rica in Group E.
Serbia, who enjoyed a distinct height advantage, were too reliant on the long ball approach, but lack of creativity up front prevented them from exploiting their dominance in the air.
The Serbian defence, however, was well organised and offered the Costs Rican forwards very little space to exploit.
Costa Rica had two opportunities in the first half and they didn’t take advantage of them. In the second half, Serbia were more confident and scored the decisive goal. This was a chess match that Serbia won.
On the pitch today, Serbia did exactly what they promised in the build-up to the match. They played like a team, covering positions for one another, they didn’t underestimate their opponent and they didn’t get caught in the headlights of playing in their first World Cup match in eight years.
Nemanja Matic is firing up the crowd in Samara now as Serbia make their third change, Prijovic on for Mitrovic. Another sub, Kostic gets the fans going with a good shot from long range.
Serbia, under the tutelage of Mladen Krstajic for the first time in a competitive match, controlled much of Sunday's clash at Samara Arena, but could not find a way through Costa Rica's stubborn rearguard until Kolarov stepped just before the hour.
Excellent throughout, Keylor Navas could do little to keep out the defender's blistering effort, which curled over the wall and into the top corner.
It was nothing less than Serbia deserved for a dominant display, although the best chance of the first half went to Costa Rica's Giancarlo Gonzalez, who headed over from point-blank range.
Serbia had gone close to prior to Kolarov's thunderbolt, Aleksandar Mitrovic - a constant thorn in Costa Rica's side - fluffing his lines when one-on-one with Navas early in the second half.
Mitrovic wasted another chance to wrap up the points late on, but his profligacy did not prove costly as Serbia held on to seal the points.
Both defences were tested in the opening moments - Mitrovic seeing an effort hooked off the line before Gonzalez headed straight at Vladimir Stojkovic at the other end.
Gonzalez spurned another gilt-edged chance 10 minutes later, the Bologna defender heading over despite been unmarked at the back post.
Marking his landmark 104th Serbia appearance, Branislav Ivanovic rolled back the years with a blistering run down the right soon after, but Navas did well to parry his cross away from Mitrovic.
Sergej Milinkovic-Savic should have done better with a close-range effort 27 minutes in, only for the offside flag to spare the youngster's blushes, before Kolarov drew the best out of Navas with a wicked free-kick.
And Serbia was almost punished for their lack of penetration when Francisco Calvo dragged a strike wide as Costa Rica enjoyed a short spell of possession just before the break.
Real Madrid goalkeeper Navas showed his quality again five minutes after the restart, racing out to deny Mitrovic, who should have done better from 10 yards out.
Costa Rica vs Serbia (Photo: @FIFAWorldCup)
Navas could do nothing to prevent Kolarov's stunning opener, though - Kolarov showing his set-piece proficiency with a venomous, dipping strike that flew in the top-right corner.
Oscar Ramirez introduced Arsenal's Joel Campbell as Costa Rica chased an equaliser, and the forward had appeals for a penalty waved away when he went down under pressure from Dusko Tosic.
Campbell was proving a nuisance, and only a last-ditch challenge from Nikola Milenkovic prevented Costa Rica's substitute from getting in on goal.
Serbia substitute Filip Kostic and Mitrovic both wasted golden opportunities to extend Serbia's advantage late on, the latter's frustrating outing ended soon after as he was replaced.
Serbia were not made to rue those misses, however, and - although a touchline skirmish between Nemanja Matic and a Costa Rica coach threatened to derail proceedings - stood firm to claim just their second victory from their last seven World Cup group stage matches.
Group Dynamics
Costa Rica advanced out of the group stage in Brazil with victories over Uruguay and Italy and a draw with England, but the country's players insisted in the run-up to today's game that this team should not be judged on the past.
"There's always a lot of talk about four years ago, but this is a new World Cup, a new history," Costa Rica defender Giancarlo Gonzales said.
"Some of us are repeating, but there are teammates who are playing their first World Cup. We know the eyes of the world are on us." Costa Rica will next face Brazil on Friday in St. Petersburg, while Serbia plays Switzerland on Friday in Kaliningrad.
Gameplay
Milinkovic-Savic gave Navas a workout in the first half, and while he didn't score, he is clearly a potent weapon for Serbia.
He challenged Navas in the 27th minute from just outside the box, but Navas fell on the ball. Navas also stopped Milinkovic-Savic's bicycle kick in front of goal in the 42nd minute, but it was ruled offside.
Currently, with Italian club Lazio, rumours have swirled that Manchester United might be interested in the dynamic 23-year-old Milinkovic-Savic.
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