Fuller Gets Late Costa Rica Winner With First Shot On Target To Throw Group E Open. KEYSHER FULLER scored a late winner for Costa Rica, opening up Group E. The match against Japan appeared to be heading for the World Cup‘s sixth 0-0 draw.
With nine minutes left, Fuller speared a goalbound effort, and goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda could only index-finger the ball into the top corner. It was Costa Rica’s first shot on goal in the World Cup, following their 7-0 thrashing of Spain.
Costa Rica worked very well without the ball, were quick to pick up loose balls, and made several excellent tackles. The problem was that once they had the ball, they had no idea what to do with it.
Full time: 🇯🇵 0-1 🇨🇷
That's how you bounce back from a 7-0 defeat! 😅
Keysher Fuller's late goal has secured all three points for Costa Rica against Japan 😱
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Japan attempted but failed to establish a passing rhythm, owing to Costa Rica’s shape, which made it difficult for the Asian side to play through the lines.
After making two substitutions at halftime, Japan significantly improved and had its first two shots on targets of the game within the first two minutes of the second half. With far greater ball creativity to play through Costa Rica, Japan began to take control of the game and rule the action.
As Japan’s energy mounted, Costa Rica really laboured to get across the field. However, ten minutes from time, Keysher Fuller found space and scored Costa Rica’s first World Cup goal against the flow of play!