Sportsworld cup2014 World Cup

Costa Rica Edges Italy 1-0 To Clinch A Spot In World Cup Round Of 16 (VIDEO)

Costa Rica's Dream Run Continues At World Cup
By 

Sports Editor, The Huffington Post

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Italy's Mario Balotelli walks away after Costa Rica's Bryan Ruiz scored the opening goal during the group D World Cup soccer match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife, Brazil, Friday, June 20, 2014. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

Los Ticos are for real.

With two wins in its first two matches at the 2014 World Cup, Costa Rica has clinched a spot in the Round of 16 in Brazil. After shocking Uruguay in its opener, Costa Rica edged Italy 1-0 in a tense Group D clash at Arena Pernambuco in Recife on Friday.

The lone goal of the match came just before halftime when midfielder Bryan Ruiz got his head to a cross from Junior Diaz. The ball deflected off the crossbar and bounced down into the goal. Goal-line technology confirmed that the ball had crossed the line. The goal came just moments after Costa Rica felt it should have been awarded a penalty kick for an apparent foul on striker Joel Campbell in the Italy penalty area.

The result guaranteed Costa Rica a spot in the Round of 16 and eliminated England from contention. It also raised the stakes for the match between Italy and Uruguay on June 24. Both teams have one win (over England) and one loss (to Costa Rica) through two matches and can advance with a second win. Currently ahead on goal differential, Italy would advance to the Round of 16 if the teams should tie.

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Before You Go

PHOTOS: Costa Rica vs. Italy
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(01 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's players celebrate after their team scored against Italy during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's players celebrate after their team scored against Italy during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(04 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica (not pictured) scores his team's first goal past Gianluigi Buffon of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(05 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica scores his team's first goal on a header past Gianluigi Buffon of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon tries unsuccessfully to stop a goal from Costa Rica's forward Bryan Ruiz during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (L) in action during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (R) is challenged by Costa Rica's defender Michael Umana during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (2nd L) kicks an unsuccessful attempt at goal during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(10 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy looks on during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(11 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy controls the ball against Oscar Duarte of Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon shoots the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(13 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica and Matteo Darmian of Italy compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's defender Ignazio Abate (L) and Costa Rica's midfielder Christian Bolanos vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's defender Oscar Duarte (L) and Italy's midfielder Claudio Marchisio vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(16 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy and Cristian Gamboa of Costa Rica compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's defender Cristian Gamboa (R) and Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (L) vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's forward Joel Campbell (Below) is challenged by Italy's defender Matteo Darmian during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(19 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Head coach Cesare Prandelli of Italy gestures during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon gestures during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's defender Matteo Darmian (L) and Costa Rica's defender Cristian Gamboa vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's forward Joel Campbell (C) is challenged by Italy's defender Giorgio Chiellini (R) during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(23 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy shoots wide against Oscar Duarte of Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(24 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy shoots wide past goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's defender Giancarlo Gonzalez (C) discusses with Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (L) as Chilean referee Enrique Roberto Osses Zencovich (R) looks on during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(26 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Junior Diaz of Costa Rica in action during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(27 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Yeltsin Tejeda of Costa Rica competes for the ball with Thiago Motta of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(28 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Junior Diaz of Costa Rica in action during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's defender Giancarlo Gonzalez (R) and Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (L) vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (L) in action against Costa Rica's defender Giancarlo Gonzalez during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's midfielder Claudio Marchisio (L) and Costa Rica's defender Cristian Gamboa vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(32 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica and Matteo Darmian of Italy compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Jamie McDonald/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(33 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Giancarlo Gonzalez of Costa Rica tackles Mario Balotelli of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's forward Mario Balotelli plays the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / GIUSEPPE CACACE (Photo credit should read GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's midfielder Daniele De Rossi (2nd L) and Costa Rica's defender Junior Diaz (2nd R) lie on the ground following a tackle during a Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(36 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Antonio Candreva of Italy lies on the pitch as referee Enrique Osses stands over during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's Colombian coach Jorge Luis Pinto reacts during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(38 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy shoots wide past goalkeeper Keylor Navas of Costa Rica during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's forward Bryan Ruiz (C) vies for the ball with Italy's defender Matteo Darmian (L) and Italy's defender Giorgio Chiellini (R) during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RONALDO SCHEMIDT (Photo credit should read RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(40 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Michael Umana of Costa Rica and Antonio Candreva of Italy compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Italy's midfielder Thiago Motta (L) and Costa Rica's midfielder Christian Bolanos vie for the ball during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO (Photo credit should read JAVIER SORIANO/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(42 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Christian Bolanos of Costa Rica and Ignazio Abate of Italy compete for the ball during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(43 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Giancarlo Gonzalez of Costa Rica competes for the ball with Mario Balotelli of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(44 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Mario Balotelli of Italy throws a bottle during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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Costa Rica's goalkeeper Keylor Navas (C) jumps to save a ball as he vies with Italy's forward Mario Balotelli (2nd R) during a Group D football match between Italy and Costa Rica at the Pernambuco Arena in Recife during the 2014 FIFA World Cup on June 20, 2014. AFP PHOTO / EMMANUEL DUNAND (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Italy v Costa Rica: Group D - 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil(46 of46)
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RECIFE, BRAZIL - JUNE 20: Yeltsin Tejeda of Costa Rica competes for the ball with Thiago Motta of Italy during the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil Group D match between Italy and Costa Rica at Arena Pernambuco on June 20, 2014 in Recife, Brazil. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
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