Costa Rica vs Serbia: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream & TV channel

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Costa Rica vs Serbia: Live blog, text commentary, line-ups, stream & TV channel image

98 min: FULL-TIME: COSTA RICA 0-1 SERBIA

98 min: It's a booking only for Prijovic for catching the face of the Costa Rica defender.

97 min: The referee wants to take a look at an incident between Prijovic and Acosta. More VAR drama at the World Cup.

95 min: OVER! Serbia fail to clear their lines from Gamboa's cross from the right. Ruiz fails to connect with his strike, while Bolanos on the follow-up sends his effort over. However, Bolanos was in an offside position anyway.

94 min: Matic and the members of the Costa Rica bench collide on the sidelines following a dispute over a throw-in. The officials have to act to break up the melee before it turns into a serious matter.

93 min: Ruiz lifts a dangerous cross to the back post looking for Campbell. Kolarov rises ahead of the forward to clear behind for a corner.

91 min: Gamboa tries his luck from distance as he goes for goal from 35 yards, but Stojkovic gets behind the ball to make a comfortable save.

90 min: There will be five minutes of added time.

90 min: Mitrovic makes way after a difficult second half and is replaced by Prijovic.

90 min: Milinkovic-Savic slides a pass to Kostic on the edge of the box and he goes for a strike. However, he can only drill his effort over the bar.

88 min: Serbia could have been out of sight in the contest had Mitrovic take either of the two opportunities he had in the second half. Will that come back to haunt his side?

86 min: PENALTY SHOUT! Milinkovic-Savic weaves his way through the Costa Rica defence in the final third and slides a pass to Mitrovic. The forward has the opportunity to end the game, but he fails to get a shot away under pressure from Gonzalez. He goes down, but the referee dismisses his appeal.

84 min: Serbia are sitting deep in their shape now. Can Costa Rica break them down in the closing stages of the contest?

83 min: Created automatically from live eventsA defensive sub by Serbia as Tadic is withdrawn for Rukavina.

81 min: Campbell battles for the ball in the final third, but his high boot sees the referee award a free-kick to Serbia. Ramirez is not happy with the decision on the bench.

79 min: Costa Rica win the ball on the edge of the Serbia box as Milinkovic-Savic commits an error. Borges tries to punish him with a drive at goal, but his effort is blocked by a wall of white shirts.

78 min: Costa Rica have not attempted a single shot in the second half.

76 min: CHANCE! Tadic does brilliantly to pick out Kostic in the box, but the midfielder cannot react to turn his foot in time. It strikes him straight on the shin and travels away from the net. The goal was gaping there.

75 min: OVER! Space opens up for Milinkovic-Savic on the edge of the box and he goes for the drive at goal, but he blazes his effort over the bar.

73 min: Colindres replaces Guzman in the heart of the midfield. Fresh legs are needed for Costa Rica.

72 min: It's Campbell who sends the ball into the box, but his delivery is cleared with ease by the Serbia backline.

71 min: Milenkovic trips Campbell and it hands Costa Rica a free-kick in the final third. Bolanos stands over the ball on the left flank.

70 min: Ljajic makes way for Kostic without making an impression in the game.

68 min: Campbell goes on the surge into the left inside channel, but he loses his footing before he can threaten.

67 min: Campbell replaces Urena for Costa Rica. Ramirez opts for a like-for-like replacement rather than operate with two up top.

65 min: There have been as many goals from direct free-kicks at the 2018 World Cup as there were in 2014 (3).

64 min: Milinkovic-Savic offloads to Tadic on the edge of the box and he looks for the backheeled pass for Ljajic into space, but the ball is intercepted by Guzman.

62 min: Bolanos has space once again on the left flank and he whips a free-kick into the box, but Stojkovic is off his line and gathers with ease.

61 min: Bolanos whips the ball into the box from the free-kick, but Milenkovic dropping deep clears in front of Stojkovic.

60 min: Venegas makes way after being fouled for Bolanos.

59 min: Ivanovic goes into the book for a poor challenge on Venegas.

58 min: Costa Rica need a response here as they've started the second half poorly.

56 min: GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! KOLAROV SCORES A STUNNER!!!! 1-0 SERBIA!!!! Serbia take the lead as Kolarov bends his free-kick into the top corner. The full-back lifted his effort over the wall and it his strike had enough bend and dip to beat Navas and hit the top corner of the net. A super effort from the Serbia skipper.

56 min: Guzman goes into the book for bringing down Mitrovic.

56 min: Mitrovic wins his side a free-kick with striking range after being brought to the ground by Guzman following a driving run.

55 min: WIDE! Kolarov whips a corner in from the right and Mitrovic rises with Duarte to head at goal, but he can only guide his effort wide of the post.

54 min: Duarte has to cover at the back, heading Kolarov's looping cross from the left away from danger, although he has to concede a corner.

52 min: Serbia have upped the ante to start the second half and are putting Costa Rica under pressure at the back.

50 min: CHANCE! Tadic releases Mitrovic one-on-one with Navas in the middle of the box with a precise throughball. All the forward has to do is place his strike beyond the keeper, but Navas comes up with the save down low to his left before Duarte clears behind for a corner. A huge chance spurned by Serbia.

49 min: Kolarov clutches his back after making a surge forward. He did suffer an injury in the warm-up, but was passed fit to play. That could be a concern for Serbia.

47 min: Milinkovic-Savic catches Guzman on the ankle and gives away a free-kick. A late challenge from the midfielder that may have seen him cautioned on another occasion.

46 min: We're back underway at the Samara Arena.


Both managers will be demanding more from their teams after the break, particularly Serbia boss Mladen Krstajic, who will be looking for more quality from his team in the final third.

It's goalless at the break at the Samara Arena between Costa Rica and Serbia. Costa Rica have had the best opening of the game when Giancarlo Gonzalez was afforded a free header six yards from goal, only to place his effort over the bar. At the other end, Aleksandar Mitrovic has been a handful, but Serbia have not been able to put Keylor Navas to the test.


47 min: HALF-TIME: COSTA RICA 0-0 SERBIA

47 min: Both sides appear to be struggling for ideas as the half draws to a close. Will there be time for one more opening?

45 min: There will be two minutes of added time.

43 min: SAVE! Milivojevic works the ball towards Milinkovic-Savic in the box, and the midfielder goes for the strike with an overhead kick. Navas has to get down to make the save, although the flag is raised anyway.

42 min: WIDE! Venegas and Calvo combine down the left flank, allowing the wing-back to cut inside. Calvo beats one challenge before striking at goal on his right foot, but he pulls his effort wide of the target.

40 min: Costa Rica win a corner down the left and Guzman marches over to take the set-piece. However, unlike his first delivery, his second lacks the quality to trouble the Serbia defence.

39 min: Mitrovic has had eight of Serbia's 12 touches in the opposition box.

38 min: OVER! A slip from Tosic gives the ball straight to Urena 25 yards from goal. He goes for the blast on his left foot, but the forward can only send his effort over the bar.

36 min: Tosic and Acosta fall to the deck after a mid-air collision. Both players require treatment before we can continue.

35 min: Kolarov powers a cross into the middle, but Navas does well to come off his line to punch clear away from danger.

34 min: Venegas concedes a cheap free-kick on the left flank and it will allow Serbia to whip a free-kick into the box.

32 min: Ivanovic has space to raid down the right flank, but he overhits his delivery to the back post, sending it out for a goal-kick.

30 min: Serbia are just starting to take control of the game. Costa Rica are having to defend deep under pressure from Krstajic's men.

Marco Urena Costa Rica Aleksandar Kolarov Serbia

28 min: OFFSIDE! Milinkovic-Savic latches on to a ball over the top from Kolarov and guides an effort towards the net. Navas makes the save, although the midfielder was offside anyway.

27 min: Mitrovic causes huge problems in the box for Serbia and he brings the ball under control. However, as he pulls the trigger, three red shirts converge to make the block.

26 min: Tadic picks up the ball in the final third and he sends an offload into the right inside channel for Mitrovic. The forward goes for the blast across the face of goal, only to be denied by a block from Duarte.

24 min: Tadic raids into space down the left flank for Serbia and he tries to fire a low ball across the face of goal, but Los Ticos manage to stifle danger once again.

22 min: Created automatically from live eventsCalvo goes into the book for a mistimed lunge on Tadic. The first booking of the game.

21 min: The tempo of the game has been impressive to start the contest. Both teams have not been afraid to inject life into their play.

19 min: Ivanovic makes a nuisance of himself in the final third, winning a header from a free-kick. His knockdown drops in the box, but Costa Rica react first as Borges boots it away.

17 min: It has been an end-to-end start to the game, with both sides finding success in the final third. However, neither has produced the quality finish to break the deadlock.

15 min: Serbia build down the right and Ivanovic finds space down the flank. He cuts past the challenge of Calvo before firing a low ball across the face of goal. Navas sticks out a hand to divert the ball into the middle before Duarte hammers it away.

14 min: Ruiz releases the run of Urena through the middle, but Milenkovic does well to nudge him aside before clearing the danger. Excellent work by the defender.

13 min: SAVE! Mitrovic drifts into space on the edge of the box and he pulls the trigger on a right-footed effort. However, he fires his strike straight at Navas.

12 min: MISS! Costa Rica should be ahead! Los Ticos catch Serbia out at the back with a short corner and Guzman lifts a cross to the back post. Gonzalez is unmarked at the back post with only Stojkovic to beat, but he places his header over the bar from close range. A shocking miss by the defender.

11 min: Costa Rica win a corner down the left flank and pile men forward into the box.

9 min: Venegas goes on the charge down the left flank before being halted by Ivanovic. The winger turns back and tries to cut the ball inside towards Urena, only to see his pass trickle out for a goal-kick.

7 min: WIDE! Kolarov raids down the left and he goes for a drive from distance. He gets power behind the effort on his left foot, but the full-back pulls the strike wide of the target.

5 min: It has been a frantic start to the game as both teams are jostling for control of the ball. Serbia win their second corner, but Costa Rica are once again able to clear their lines.

3 min: SAVE! Serbia clear the initial danger from the corner, but Duarte curls a cross into the middle from the left flank. Gonzalez rises to head at goal, but he directs his effort straight at Stojkovic.

3 min: Ruiz releases Urena into the right inside channel and he takes a touch to get away from Kolarov. The forward goes for a strike from a tight angle, although his effort is blocked behind.

2 min: Mitrovic wins the header from the corner and the ball travels towards goal, but Costa Rica are able to clear the danger.

1 min: Ivanovic puts an early cross into the box, which is cleared away from Mitrovic and behind for a corner.

1 min: We're underway at the Samara Arena.


Here we go...

3 mins until KO: The players are ready for the off. We should be underway very shortly.

6 mins until KO: Mitrovic scored a hat-trick in the win over Bolivia. All Serbian eyes will be on him to provide an impact, leading the line this afternoon.

8 mins until KO: Costa Rica have won their opening game at the World Cup in three of their previous four appearances, the only exception coming against hosts Germany in 2006 (2-4). Meanwhile, Serbia have lost their opening game by a 1-0 scoreline each time in their last two appearances.

10 mins until KO: This will be the first ever encounter between Costa Rica and Serbia.

12 mins until KO: Serbia are sticking mostly with the same team that crushed Bolivia 5-1 last time out. The only change to the side sees Milivojevic come into the fold to replace Kostic in the middle of the park.

14 mins until KO: Ramirez has made three changes from his side that were beaten by Belgium in their final warm-up match. Venegas, Guzman and Calvo are all given the nod to start ahead of Bolanos, Tejeda and Oviedo this afternoon. Urena leads the line through the middle.

15 mins until KO: Serbia subs: Antonio Rukavina, Uros Spajic, Andrija Zivkovic, Aleksandar Prijovic, Predrag Rajkovic, Milos Veljkovic, Milan Rodic, Marko Grujic, Filip Kostic, Nemanja Radonjic, Luka Jovic, Marko Dmitrovic.

16 mins until KO: SERBIA (4-3-3): Vladimir Stojkovic; Branislav Ivanovic, Nikola Milenkovic, Dusko Tosic, Aleksandar Kolarov; Luka Milivojevic, Nemanja Matic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic; Dusan Tadic, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Adem Ljajic.

17 mins until KO: Costa Rica subs: Ian Smith, Christian Bolanos, Bryan Oviedo, Daniel Colindres, Joel Campbell, Rodney Wallace, Randall Azofeifa, Yeltsin Tejeda, Patrick Pemberton, Kendall Waston, Kenner Gutierrez, Leonel Moreira.

18 mins until KO: COSTA RICA (3-4-3): Keylor Navas; Jonny Acosta, Giancarlo Gonzalez, Oscar Duarte; Cristian Gamboa, Celso Borges, David Guzman, Francisco Calvo; Bryan Ruiz, Johan Venegas, Marco Urena.

19 mins until KO: Let's have a look at the two teams.

21 mins until KO: Mladen Krstajic's men were up-and-down in their two warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. Serbia lost 1-0 to Chile, but found their form with a 5-1 hammering of Bolivia. They will want to come out firing this afternoon.

22 mins until KO: Serbia failed to reach the tournament, but were in South Africa for the 2010 World Cup. There they failed to progress from the group stage, leaving them with scope for improvement this time around. There's talent in the squad to make a surge for the knockout phase.

24 mins until KO: Oscar Ramirez's men struggled in their warm-up matches ahead of the tournament. Costa Rica were able to beat Northern Ireland, but defeats at the hands of England and Belgium have perhaps displayed their weaknesses for their Group E opponents to exploit.

25 mins until KO: Costa Rica proved to be one of the surprise packages of the 2014 World Cup, advancing all the way to the quarter-finals before being knocked out by the Netherlands on penalties. Los Ticos will be desperate for a similar outing this time around, beginning with a win over Serbia this afternoon.

28 mins until KO: Brazil and Switzerland are the other two teams in the group, and they play in the third match of the day, so the pressure is on for these sides to make an immediate impact. We will have team news for you very soon!

30 mins until KO: Hello and welcome to our live text commentary of the Group E match between Costa Rica and Serbia at the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Game Costa Rica vs Serbia
Date Sunday, June 17
Time 1pm BST / 8am ET
Stream (US only) fubo TV (7-day free trial)

Squads & Team News


Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas starts for his country following an impressive campaign that saw him win a Champions League trophy at domestic level. There is no space in the starting lineup for Arsenal striker Joel Campbell though; he is named on the bench with Marco Urena of Los Angeles FC preferred up front.

Defender Kenner Gutierrez is also among the substitutes for Oscar Ramirez's side after being called up as late cover for Ronald Matarrita, who misses the tournament with a right hamstring strain.

Costa Rica XI: Navas, Gamboa, Gonzalez, Acosta, Durate, Calvo, Venegas, Guzman, Borges, Ruiz, Urena.

Zent Saint Petersburg defender Branislav Ivanovic makes his 104th appearance for his country in this opening game of Group E, and with it becomes the country's most-capped player in history, overtaking former Inter midfielder Dejan Stankovic.

Four Premier League stars also start for Mladen Krstajic's team: Luka Milivojevic, Nemanja Matic, Dusan Tadic and Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Serbia XI:  Stojkovic, Ivanovic, Milenkovic, Tosic, Kolarov, Milivojevic, Matic, Milinkovic-Savic, Tadic, Mitrovic, Ljajic.
 


TV Channel, Live Stream & How To Watch


In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).

New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.

US TV channel Online stream
FOX / Telemundo fubo TV (7-day free trial)

In the United Kingdom (UK), the game can be watched live on TV on BBC   or streamed live online using the ITV Player.

UK TV channel Online stream
ITV ITV Player

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