Costa Rica dent Japan’s last-16 hopes

Costa Rica beat Japan 1-0 in their World Cup Group E match. Keysher Fuller's 81st-minute goal secured the victory for Costa Rica. Japan lost 7-1 to Spain in the previous game. They are second in Group A on three points. Their last game is against Spain. Germany would have been under pressure to beat Spain if Costa Rican won. Germany won their opening game against Germany. Costa Rico won 7 games in a row before this match and are now on a seven-match winless run at the World cup.

Costa Rica beat Japan 1-0 to dent their last-16 hopes. The game was played at snail's pace. Japan's coach took off defender Yuto Nagatomo at halftime and replaced him with Takuma Asano. After the break Japan looked more threatening and Hidemasa Morita tested Keylor Navas. Kaoru Mitoma came on for right back Miki Yamane. Fuller scored the winner for Japan.