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Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: Costa Rica shock Uruguay, Colombia ease past Greece
This article was first published 10 years ago

PHOTOS: Costa Rica shock Uruguay, Colombia ease past Greece

June 15, 2014 02:30 IST

Image: Oscar Duarte of Costa Rica (second left) celebrates scoring his team's second goal against Uruguay with teammates
Photographs: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Oscar Duarte's first international goal and a late strike from Marco Urena helped unfancied Costa Rica inflict a shocking 3-1 defeat on former champions Uruguay at the Estadio Castelao in Fortaleza.

It's one of the biggest shocks in recent World Cup history.

It was Costa Rica's first win in the quadrennial event in 12 years, since they eased past China 2-0 in the 2002 tournament, and their third ever.

They Central American nation had also never previously defeated a team from South America.

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Campbell put Costa Rica level in the second half

Image: Joel Campbell of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team's first goal with the ball under his jersey
Photographs: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Having been one down in the opening half, Costa Rica hit back strong in the second, catching the South American champions off guard. 

Joel Campbell, who struggled to get first team action at Arsenal and had to ply his trade with Olympiakos in Greece, put the underdogs level in the 54th minute.

Duarte put them ahead three minutes later.

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Cavani's penalty put Uruguay ahead

Image: Edinson Cavani of Uruguay celebrates scoring his team's first goal on a penalty kick
Photographs: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

Earlier, Edinson Cavani put Uruguay up early in the first half. 

The PSG frontman converted a penalty to ensure his side the lead. 

However, they were completely outplayed thereafter, their misery compounded by a late red card to Maxi Pereira.

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Colombia records its best ever win

Image: Pablo Armero of Colombia celebrates with his team-mates after scoring the first goal
Photographs: Ian Walton/Getty Images

In another match, making a grand return to World Cup after 16 long years, an attacking Colombia recorded its best ever win in the finals as it outclassed Greece 3-0 in a Group C match at Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.

A sixth minute goal by defender Pablo Armero set the ball rolling for Colombia.

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Gutierrez scored his first World Cup finals goal

Image: Teofilo Gutierrez of Colombia (left) and Cristian Zapata celebrate after the second goal
Photographs: Paul Gilham/Getty Images

Teofilo Gutierrez scored his first World Cup finals goal in the 58th minute to leave Greece with a daunting task to save the game.

Adding insult to injury, young talent James Rodriguez netted a goal in the stoppage time for a superb finish to the contest, which they dominated for most of the part. 

The South American side was missing star striker Radamel Falcao and centre-back Luis Perea from their ranks due to injuries but that did not stop them from playing their brand of game.