World Cup Trivia: Costa Rica - From no-hope to top of the table

1 goal. 1 goal from Costa Rica was all that was required to power them up Group D, the group of Death. Everyone though the 3-1 win over Uruguay was a lucky shot. But now, with a solid win over 4-time World Cup winners Italy, the Los Ticos has shown that they are a force to be reckon with this Tournament.

Some trivia

This is the fourth time Costa Rica qualified for the group stage in the World Cup.

The last three were in 1990 (Last 16), 2002 (Group stage), 2006 - (Group stage). They did not qualify for the 2010 World Cup at South Africa.

For this current edition of the World Cup, Costa Rica finished second during the qualifying stages, behind the USA in the CONCACAF group. 

The man who scored the winner yesterday, wearing the no.10 jersey is called Bryan Ruiz. He is on loan from English side Fulham to Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. 

The team is nowhere near one of big names or superstars. In fact going down the squad list, only Joel Campbell from Arsenal catches my eye. Yet they perform when they are required to perform, and that is what's important.

Costa Rica - Pride of the Central Americans

Costa Rica was the first Central American soccer team to win a game at a World Cup tournament
Costa Rica is the only Central American football team to qualify for next round in FIFA World Cup 

This time round, Costa Rica is in a group with 3 former world cup champions. Their victory essentially sent two former world cup champions packing.

Underdogs? Maybe. But as I said previously, underdogs always find some way up.... Uruguay now joins one of the 4 teams that has qualified for last 16, and I won't be surprised seeing them going beyond that.