FIFA World Cup 2022: Keysher Fuller scores late winner goal Costa Rica rallies past to beat Japan 1-0 in Group E, Player Ratings..

Despite Stunning Opening fixtures against Germany, Japan failed to make their place in Knockout stage, as Keysher Fuller scored in the 81st minute to lift Costa Rica to a 1-0 victory over Japan, leaving both teams Have Wide Open Group E with three points after two games of the World Cup.

Hajime Moriyasu's side started their 2022 World Cup with a 2-1 win over four-time world champions Germany on Wednesday, while Costa Rica suffered a 7-0 defeat to Spain in their tournament opener.

Keysher Fuller scored from 18 metres just off Japan goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda's leaping fingertips by taking advantage of a defensive blunder when Japan failed to clear the ball.

The match at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was tactical and largely uninteresting, especially in the scoreless first half. The second half was marginally better, with Japan exerting constant pressure until Costa Rica made a play.

Keylor Navas, the goalkeeper for Costa Rica, made a number of quick saves in the waning minutes to seal the victory.

With Spain, Costa Rica, and Japan all on three points at this point and facing Germany later this evening, the late winner completely opened up Group E.

World Cup 2022 Fantasy Football: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica: Player ratings

1. Japan Player ratings (4-2-3-1)

Japan: Gonda (4), Yamane (6), Itakura (6), Yoshida (6), Nagatomo (6), Endo (6), Morita (6), Doan (5), Kamada (6), Soma (6), Ueda (5)

Subs: Asano (6), H Ito (6), Mitoma (6), J Ito (6), Minamino (n/a)

Manager: Hajime Moriyasu - 6/10 -

2. Costa Rica Player ratings (5-4-1)

Costa Rica: Navas (7), Waston (7), Duarte (6), Calvo (6), Oviedo (6), Fuller (8), Borges (6), Tejeda (7), Torres (6), Campbell (5), Contreras (5)

Subs: Aguilera (5), Bennette (5), Salas (n/a), Chacon (n/a)

Manager: Luis Suarez - 7/10 -

Player of the match: Keysher Fuller

Costa Rica beat Japan for historic win - Opta Key stats

Costa Rica have beaten Japan for the first time in all competitions (D1 L3), while they have won both their encounters against Asian teams at the World Cup (also beat China 2-0 in 2002)
Costa Rica became the first team to concede seven goals in a game, then win their next match at the World Cup since Paraguay in 1958 (lost 7-3 to France, won 3-2 against Scotland).
Keysher Fuller scored from Costa Rica's very first shot on target at this World Cup, after more than 184 minutes of football played (including added time).
At 30y 318d, Costa Rica's starting XI against Tunisia was the oldest at this World Cup so far.

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