Costa Rica upset Japan with late Fuller winner

After taking a beating from Spain, Costa Rica is starting to get back on its feet.
A devastating blow to Japan’s chances of advancing to the World Cup’s round of 16.
To everyone’s amazement, Costa Rica came out on top, 1-0.
INTERVIEWER AL RAYYAN: After being blown out by Spain, Costa Rica bounced back on Sunday to beat Japan 1-0 in Group E of the FIFA World Cup, severely damaging Japan’s chances of advancing to the round of 16.

Keysher Fuller’s goal in the 81st minute was Costa Rica’s first attempt on target in a gloomy game, and it surprised the drumming Japanese fans in the stadium.

Since Costa Rica was blown out by Spain 7-0 in their opening game, Japan was able to advance to the round of 16 without having to play a second game thanks to their historic opening victory over Germany.

Their dreams of advancing to the knockout stage for the fourth time hang in the balance when they face Spain in their final match.

The match result puts previously doomed Costa Rica on equal footing with Japan in the standings with a chance to advance to the round of 16.

Later on, the likes of Spain and Germany, two heavyweights, will play.

Even the Japanese fans in blue shirts banging drums at one end of Ahmad bin Ali Stadium found the first half to be mind-numbingly boring.

LaPresse Photographer’s Photo of Fabio Ferrari Doha, Qatar; November 27; Sports; Football; Qatar 2022; World Cup Group E, Round of 16; Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; Japan vs. Costa Rica. This picture was taken on November 27, 2022, at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Doha, Qatar, during the group stage of the 2022 FIFA World Cup between Japan and Costa Rica in Group E. Quote from Reuters
Fabio Ferrari, courtesy of Foto LaPresse 27 November 2022; Doha, Qatar; Sports; Soccer; Qatar 2022; FIFA World Cup Group E, Round of 16; Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; Japan vs. Costa Rica. Photo by Reuters: Group E, match between Japan and Costa Rica at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Group Stage, Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium; Doha, Qatar; November 27.
Apart from a two-minute burst at the start of the game by Japan, the rest of the opening half was played at snail’s pace.

Since Costa Rica gave up three goals in the first half against Spain, the quiet around the goalmouth was likely a relief.

Both goalkeepers were unnecessary as just a cross by Japan’s Ritsu Doan flashed across the goal, and a shot by Costa Rica’s Joel Campbell was scooped far over the crossbar.

Coach Hajime Moriyasu of Japan substituted Takuma Asano for Yuto Nagatomo, who had scored the game-winning goal against Germany, at halftime.

Hidemasa Morita finally tested Keylor Navas with a stinging shot, but the Costa Rican goalkeeper was able to parry it away. Japan looked more dangerous right after halftime.

Moriyasu made another attacking substitution, this time switching out right-back Miki Yamane for midfielder Kaoru Mitoma, as Japan started to seize possession and kick balls toward their fans.

It looked like it was only a matter of time before Japan’s pressure paid off as they camped out in the Costa Rican half. However, when they finally got a break, Japan couldn’t clear, and Fuller snuck in a shot that goalie Shuichi Gonda couldn’t stop.