Colombia 2 Costa Rica 3: Colombians fall to shock defeat and could now face Brazil
Under-strength side finishes second in Group A meaning a meeting with the Samba stars looks likely in the knockouts
COLOMBIA slipped to a shock defeat to Costa Rica – leaving them facing a possible quarter final with Brazil.
With qualification already guaranteed, Colombia made ten changes with stars such as James Rodriquez, Carlos Bacca and Juan Cuadrado on the bench.
José Pékerman clearly thought his side strong enough to see off Costa Rica and take top spot in Group A after USA’s win over Paraguay.
But the Costa Rican’s – without a goal so far in the competition – stunned Colombia after just two minutes.
Johan Venegas twisted on the edge of the box and unleashed an unstoppable 25-yard curler into the top corner.
The minnows delight was obvious, but the lead lasted just three minutes, as Frank Fabra bundled the ball past an unfortunate Patrick Pemberton.
But Fabra was to turn from hero to zero just after the half hour, as he accidentally turned the ball past his own keeper from close range to give the lead back to the Costa Ricans.
And after the break they continued where they’d left off, finding it too easy to carve through the Colombians and Celso Borges made it three.
Despite already being out of the competition, the Costa Rica fans in the stands danced like they’d won the cup and their side continued to flood forward.
But the game swung again as Rodriguez, fresh introduced from the bench, laid on Marlos Moreno Duran to power into the bottom corner.
Colombia needed to avoid defeat to finish top of Group A ahead of the USA who’d earlier beaten Paraguay and poured men forward who began to shoot on sight.
Yet that crucial goal alluded them and Costa Rica held on for a famous win.