Japan vs Costa Rica 0-1: World Cup 2022 – as it happened
Live updates from the FIFA World Cup 2022 match between Japan and Costa Rica at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Japan vs Costa Rica World Cup 2022 match on Sundasy, November 27.
This blog is now closed, thanks for joining us. These were the updates on the Japan vs Costa Rica World Cup 2022 match on Sundasy, November 27.
- Japan XI: Gonda, Yamane (Mitoma, 62′), Itakura, Yoshida, Nagatomo (Junya Ito, 46′), Endo, Morita, Doan (Junya Ito, 67′), Kamada, Soma (Minamino, 82′), Ueda (Asano, 46′).
- Costa Rica: Navas, Watson, Calvo, Duarte, Oviedo, Tejeda, Borges (Salas, 89′), Fuller, Torres (Aguilera, 65′), Campbell (Chacon, 95′), Contreras (Bennette, 65′).
- Teams face off on day eight of tournament at 1pm (10:00 GMT) at Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium.
- Japan riding high after 2-1 upset over Germany in their World Cup opener.
- Costa Rica need to bounce back from the 7-0 thrashing by Spain.
- FIFA rankings: Japan (24), Costa Rica (31).
- Live updates
- Match stats
- Lineups
Costa Rica win with their only shot on target
It was not only Los Ticos’s only shot on target in the game but also in the World Cup so far. They had zero in their 7-0 defeat against Germany.
Costa Rica have Navas to thank. Their performance as a whole was not world-class, but the veteran keeper made some vital saves and did an excellent job of commanding his backline.
Japan had 13 shots and 57% ball possession but were frustrated by the Costa Rican defence. They also were not helped by the fact that they lacked quality in attack, making a few too many wayward passes.
Game over!
It’s a historic day for Costa Rica.
They have beaten Japan for the first time. Their World Cup campaign is back alive.
Fuller’s goal makes the difference.
Final score: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Costa Rica look to see out the time
Campbell is off and replaced by Chacon.
Costa Rica are playing a high defensive line and looking to secure their first win of the World Cup.
90+5 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Endo is booked
That will be of frustration to Japan. It kills a Japanese attacking passage of play.
90+3 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
We are into added time
There will be six minutes of second-half stoppage time.
90 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Japan get the ball into the Costa Rica area. Following some shuffling, Navas makes a vital save to deny Kamada.
The 35-year-old has shown his class in this game.
87 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
It’s only reasonable
Football logic dictates that Spain should now batter Germany, who lost to Japan, who are losing to Costa Rica, who were smashed 7-0 by Spain.
— Football365 (@F365) November 27, 2022
Well, well, well
Wow, that goal came completely against the run of play. Japan keeper Shuichi Gonda had to do better there, but that was some finish.
Costa Rica fans, do you dare to dream?
⚽️ It's day 8 of the #FIFAWorldCup, with Japan and Costa Rica starting the day. Who will win? 👇#Qatar2022 | #JPNCRI
— AJE Sport (@AJE_Sport) November 27, 2022
Costa Rica score with their first shot on target
The goal came after a defensive lapse in concentration from Japan.
Fuller’s shot was composed and neatly tucked in although Gonda could have done better to save.
If the score ends as is, this group is thrown wide open.
Japan have brought on Minamino for Soma.
84 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
GOAL!
Costa Rica score.
Fuller is the man to find the net with a beautiful curler from near the edge of the box.
80 mins: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
Set pieces not materialising for Japan
Ito plays in a cross. Kamada at the back post just cannot make contact.
Fuller plays the ball out.
Costa Rica clear their lines.
78 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Japan are not getting shots away
Japan showed an injection of energy early in the second half.
Since forcing Navas into a save early in the second half, they have not done so again.
75 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Another Japan set piece comes to nothing
Japan get a free-kick after Calvo brings down Ito on the edge of the box.
Calvo is booked.
Kamada hits the wall from the set piece.
72 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Rare attack for Costa Rica
Fuller looked to find Bennette with a cross, but the latter could not get to the end of it.
Japan bring on Junya Ito for Doan.
69 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Marginally better second half
It has been a better second half. But given the direness of the first 45 minutes, that really doesn’t say much.
Japan need to shoot more
If we are to see a goal soon from Japan, they need to shoot more.
Soma whips in a free-kick from out wide. Borges clears it.
Costa Rica made a double change.
Contreras and Torres are off, replaced by Bennette and Aguilera.
66 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Free kick goes over
Soma gets too much power on the ball as it sails into the stands.
Japan bring on Mitoma for Yamane.
63 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Japan have a good chance to score
Endo goes down on the edge of the area. Borges is booked for Costa Rica.
61 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Navas bails out Costa Rica
Duarte played a dangerous short pass to the Costa Rican goalkeeper. Navas uses his calmness and alertness to get to the ball just before Asano.
58 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Asano is making a difference
Takuma Asano has been impressive since he has come on. He has increased the urgency and potency of the front line. Japan have been much better in the opening 10 minutes of the second half.
◉ 46' Japan have their first shot on target of the game
◉ 48' Japan have their second shot on target of the game
Much better start to the second half!#FIFAWorldCup
— Squawka News (@SquawkaNews) November 27, 2022
Japan are dictating play
It’s Japan dictating the movement of the ball and passing the ball around.
Costa Rica are not matching the tempo of the Asian giants. They will have to find a way to do so if they want to stay alive in this competition.
Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Tejeda takes a blow but is good to continue
Tejeda is in pain after a painful collision with a teammate. He looks good to continue.
Yoshida’s ball forward is too strong and goes to the Costa Rican keeper Navas.
52 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Japan show more attacking intent
Asano, who scored the winning goal against Germany, has made an immediate impact since coming on.
First, he moves the ball up the pitch. Morita ends up firing a shot that forces a fine save out of Navas.
Asano then sees his own shot blocked.
49 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica
Second half under way!
Japan get the ball moving.
Ito and Asano are on for Ueda and Nagatomo, as Japan make a double change.
46 mins: Japan 0-0 Costa Rica