Serbia ideally launched its campaign from Russia on Sunday in Samara by imposing itself against Costa Rica. Vastly superior to Costa Ricans far from their 2014 level and who can thank their goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the Serbs totally dominated the debates but owed their salvation only to a free-kick from Kolarov registered just before the game time (1-0).
Absent from major competitions since 2010, Serbia did not miss its entry into the Russian World Cup. The quality of the individuality played a big part in the success achieved (1-0) at the Samara Arena by the players of Mladen Krstajic against Costa Rica. On the other hand, the Central American selection seems far less exciting than at the 2014 World Cup : the prowess of the Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas will not be enough to take Los Ticos on an extended course.
By registering a splendid free kick in the middle of the skylight, Aleksandar Kolarov positioned himself alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the race at the most stopped kick of the competition (1-0, 56′). The AS Roma side did not fail in his reputation in the exercise and his goal rewarded a solid collective performance. The inexperience of a selection where he is the only one not to discover the World Cup, with Branislav Ivanovic and Vladimir Stojkovic, did not feel.
Fortunately for Costa Rica, there was Navas
Behind his cadres, the Serbs can count on an additional offensive pair. The sense of Aleksander Mitrovic’s sacrifice was perfectly associated with the finesse of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Without being successful at finishing, this pair gradually crushed the Costa Rican rearguard. And without the vigilance of Keylor Navas, the addition could have been much more severe for the selection of CONCACAF.
In a balanced first period, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper showed vigilance against Milinkovic-Savic to dominate him on a face-to-face (26th) and then on an acrobatic comeback (43rd) where the Laziale was wrongly reported out of play. The Navas show continued from the beginning of a second period when Mitrovic was more decisive in his movements. By deploying a great deal of energy to multiply his calls behind the back of the defense, Fulham’s forward sinned in the last gesture (50th, 87th).
World Cup 2018-Serbia ideally launched its Russia campaign on Sunday in Samara by imposing itself against Costa Rica. Vastly superior to Costa Ricans far from their 2014 level and who can thank their goalkeeper Keylor Navas, the Serbs totally dominated the debates but owed their salvation only to a free-kick from Kolarov registered just before the game time (1-0).
Absent from major competitions since 2010, Serbia did not miss its entry into the Russian World Cup. The quality of the individuality played a big part in the success achieved (1-0) at the Samara Arena by the players of Mladen Krstajic against Costa Rica. On the other hand, the Central American selection seems far less exciting than at the 2014 World Cup : the prowess of the Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas will not be enough to take Los Ticos on an extended course.
The film of the match
By registering a splendid free kick in the middle of the skylight, Aleksandar Kolarov positioned himself alongside Cristiano Ronaldo for the race at the most stopped kick of the competition (1-0, 56′). The AS Roma side did not fail in his reputation in the exercise and his goal rewarded a solid collective performance. The inexperience of a selection where he is the only one not to discover the World Cup, with Branislav Ivanovic and Vladimir Stojkovic, did not feel.
Fortunately for Costa Rica, there was Navas
Behind his cadres, the Serbs can count on an additional offensive pair. The sense of Aleksander Mitrovic’s sacrifice was perfectly associated with the finesse of Sergej Milinkovic-Savic. Without being successful at finishing, this pair gradually crushed the Costa Rican rearguard. And without the vigilance of Keylor Navas, the addition could have been much more severe for the selection of CONCACAF.
In a balanced first period, Real Madrid’s goalkeeper showed vigilance against Milinkovic-Savic to dominate him on a face-to-face (26th) and then on an acrobatic comeback (43rd) where the Laziale was wrongly reported out of play. The Navas show continued from the beginning of a second period when Mitrovic was more decisive in his movements. By deploying a great deal of energy to multiply his calls behind the back of the defense, Fulham’s forward sinned in the last gesture (50th, 87th).
But thanks to his hargne, he got the decisive free kick converted by Kolarov just before game time for his 11th goal with the Serbian selection. Solid defensively, Serbia shut down Costa Rica who woke up too late in a second period lengthened by a few skirmishes and a deliberate but futile shot by Aleksandar Prijovic, logically warned (90 ‘+7’). The task is already impossible for Oscar Ramirez’s Costa Ricans, who will play a couperet match in the race for second place in Group E on Friday in St. Petersburg.