Costa Rica came from behind to stun Uruguay 3-1 Saturday at the World Cup, opening the tough Group D with a major upset.
Uruguay left star striker Luis Suarez on the bench but went ahead when Edinson Cavani scored a penalty in the 24th minute.
The Central Americans fought back after the break and lone striker Joel Campbell drive in a ball headed down by Celso Borges in the 54th to beat goalkeeper Fernando Muslera.
Oscar Duarte dived past the outstretched foot of Uruguay’s Cristian Stuani to head in the winner for the underdogs, and substitute Marcos Urena added the third with six minutes left, catching out Muslera to slot the ball in from a tight angle.
It was Costa Rica’s first World Cup victory since beating China in the group stage in 2002.
Uruguay started with striker Diego Forlan alongside Cavani but the 35-year-old made little impact and was substituted on the hour for Nicolas Lodeiro.
Uruguay the highest-ranked team in a group that also includes England and Italy ended their disastrous night with 10 men after Maxi Pereira was sent off for a clumsy injury time foul on Campbell. Pereira will be suspended from the next game against England.
Suarez is still recovering from knee surgery and never came off the bench indicating that the Liverpool forward is still far from match fitness.
Lineups
Uruguay: Fernando Muslera, Diego Lugano, Diego Godin, Walter Gargano (Alvaro Gonzalez, 60), Cristian Rodriguez, Diego Forlan (Nicolas Lodeiro, 60), Cristian Stuani, Maxi Pereira, Egidio Arevalo, Edinson Cavani, Martin Caceres.
Costa Rica: Keylor Navas, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Michael Umana, Celso Birges, Oscar Duarte, Christian Bolanos (Michael Barrantes, 89), Joel Campbell, Bryan Ruiz (Marcos Urena, 82), Junior Diaz, Cristian Gamboa, Yeltsin Tejeda (Jose Cubero, 74).
