Keysher Fuller’s late goal earned Costa Rica a hard-fought Group E victory against Japan. Japan failed to follow up on their shock win over Germany with a win that would have seen them become the second team to advance to the knockout stages, after France.
The result now sees the ‘Group of Death’ live up to its name as it leaves both teams on three points after two games, with Spain – who still top the group on goal difference – facing Germany later tonight.
For Los Ticos, manager Luis Fernando Suarez could not be more proud of his players, bouncing back from a 7-0 defeat to Spain whilst becoming the first team since Paraguay in 1958 to concede seven goals in a game and then win their next match.
That moment came in the 81st minute. After Japan lost the ball, Fuller received the ball from Yeltsin Tejeda on the edge of the box to produce a lovely curled finish past Shuichi Gonda, which sparked scenes from the substitutes off the bench. After a seven-match winless run, their last WC victory being against Uruguay in 2014, The North American side has now given themselves a chance to reach the last 16.
