Colombia, Costa Rica win
June 14, 2014
Defender Pablo Armero put Colombia ahead in minute five with a deflected ball that just spun its way past Greece's keeper and over the goal line. It was the quickest strike of the World Cup - perhaps symbolic as the Greeks had trouble keeping up with the swift South Americans in the Estadio Mineirao in Belo Horizonte.
A shot out of nowhere by Panagiotis Kone was Hellas' lone chance of the first half, and Colombia eased off the accelerator, seemingly content to take a 1-0 lead into the dressing rooms.
The story was the same in the second half, although Colombia's second goal came off a corner kick. Abel Aguilar flicked the ball on for Teo Gutierrez to double the Cafeteros' lead just before the hour mark. The Greek defense looked as static as the Parthenon on the play.
Theofanis Gekas, formerly of multiple Bundesliga clubs, could have handed Greece a lifeline in minute 63, but his short-range header found only the crossbar. Colombia comfortably held on, and James Rodriguez bagged a last second goal to seal the 3-0 win and a successful start to the World Cup campaign.
Costa Rica pull off unlikely comeback
Uruguay came into the first group D match as overwhelming favorites over Costa Rica and duly took the lead in minute 24, when Edinson Cavani sunk a penalty. The Celeste were far from their best but looked good enough for three points.
Until minute 54, that is, when Cristian Gamboa pulled back a ball from just before the corner flag, and Joel Campbell thumped home the equalizer. And three minutes later, Oscar Duarte turned the match topsy-turvy with a slightly offside header after a free kick. German referee Felix Brych allowed the goal to stand.
Uruguay frantically chased an equalizer but were unable to find their form. Six minutes from time Campbell slipped a ball through to Marcos Urena, who angled in a third goal. The 3-1 upset was the first time that Costa Rica had scored three goals in the World Cup and represented their maiden win against Uruguay, who also had Maxi Pereira sent off in the dying minutes for an unsportsmanlike foul.
The result completely changes the dynamic of Group D. Dark horses Uruguay now face a real prospect of early elimination, while Los Ticos celebrate the biggest win in the country's football history.