They call that a smash and grab! Costa Rica keep World Cup dream alive with unlikely victory over uninspiring Japan

Costa Rica sprung a surprise result as they beat giant slayers Japan to throw World Cup Group E wide open! 

​Costa Rica scored with first shot on target of tournamentJapan failed to capitalise on Germany winGroup E now has three teams on three points

TELL ME MORE: The game followed the same pattern as many of the other matches so far in this World Cup. Neither team created many clear-cut chances but a second-half strike from Keysher Fuller was enough to give Costa Rica a shock win.

THE MVP: After their 7-0 thumping from Spain, not many would have expected Costa Rica to keep a clean sheet, let alone win. Their success is mainly down to Kendall Waston. The six-foot-five-inch centre-back smashed everything that came near him as far away from his goal as possible, being a vital part of his side picking up three points.

THE BIG LOSER: It may be cliche, but Japanese goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda really should have done better with Fuller’s effort. He was cruising to a very easy afternoon but failed to deal with Costa Rica’s only shot on target of the whole competition.

MATCH IN A PHOTO:

Agony vs ecstasy as Japan miss out on taking themselves to the brink of qualification for the knockout stages…

AS IT STANDS:

TeamPWDLGDPointsSpain1100+73Japan2

1

0103Costa Rica2101-63Germany1001-10

WHAT NEXT FOR JAPAN? Japan face Spain next in their final group game of this year’s competition. Costa Rica, meanwhile, take on Germany.

MATCH RATING (OUT OF FIVE): ⭐⭐