Costa Rica produced another huge upset to reach the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time on Friday with Bryan Ruiz’s goal securing a 1-0 Group D win over Italy that also ensured England were eliminated.
Ruiz headed powerfully home a minute before halftime to leave Costa Rica fans dancing in the sunshine at Recife’s Pernambuco arena.
Here are the top stats from the match:
- Before this match, Italy had scored in their last 15 World Cup games; a record run for them and the best current run of any side. They had also scored in all seven previous World Cup clashes with CONCACAF teams.
- Italy have not won their second game at a World Cup in any of the last four editions (D2 L2).
- Andrea Pirlo attempted 33 passes in the 1st half vs Costa Rica, less than half the number he managed in the 1st half vs England (70).
- Italy have won none of the last eight World Cup games where they have gone behind, last pulling off a comeback win in 1994 v Nigeria (2-1).
- Italy v Costa Rica has already seen 11 offsides, more than any other game in World Cup 2014 so far.
- Andrea Pirlo has now completed 195 passes at the 2014 World Cup. He leads the passmasters’ chart.
- Buffon appeared in his fourth World Cup, equalling the Italian record held by Rivera, Bergomi, Maldini and Cannavaro.
- Mario Balotelli now leads the offside table with six offsides this World Cup campaign. Robin van Persie follows with five.
- Costa Rica have found the back in the net in all but one of their last 10 World Cup games.
- By beating Italy, Costa Rica ensured that England’s elimination at the opening group stage of a World Cup for the first time since 1958.
- Costa Rica have reached the knockout stages of the World Cup for the second time in their history after 1990.
- Costa Rica join Netherlands, Chile and Colombia in the last 16. England join Cameroon, Spain and Australia as eliminated countries.
- Costa Rica became the first nation to keep Italy from scoring at the WC since France in 1998.
- CONCACAF is now 4-1-1 at the 2014 World Cup. CONCACAF had just three wins at the ‘06 and ‘10 WC’s COMBINED.
Stats courtesy Opta, InfoStrada and ESPN