TERRIFIC TICOS DEFEAT AZZURRI IN WORLD CUP.
RIO de JANEIRO — Oh, these Italians. They do love their overripe drama.
In calcio, as in life, apparently nothing can ever be simple, straightforward. It all has to be life-and-death throes and hand-wringing.
“A deserved defeat,” Azzurri coach Cesare Prandelli wasn’t shy of admitting afterwards. “Costa Rica were much more aggressive and played with passion.
“We came onto the pitch with too slow a pace. Our approach was not the best.
“I don’t know if we were superficial and it would be a huge mistake if we were.”
In authoring one of the most compelling stories here so far, the Ticos were terrific in becoming the first CONCACAF nation ever to beat the four-time champions at a World Cup, 1-0 in Recife, and to qualify for the Round of 16.
A wonderful achievement in a difficult group.
Italy must now hold Luis Suarez and Uruguay to at least a draw in Natal next Tuesday to reach the knockout stages.
“We just need to regain our energy,” offered Prandelli. “No, we have absolutely no fear.”
“You get back on your feet by looking on the bright side, which is that even a draw wouldn’t have changed anything, as we still needed a draw against Uruguay,” echoed Italian skipper Gigi Buffon, back between the sticks. “In fact, even a victory would’ve left us needing a point to be absolutely sure. Costa Rica’s qualification was a shock for those who take some things for granted and think there are still weak teams in a World Cup.
“For several years now we have realized there’s no such thing as a Cinderella side in major tournaments.”
Having shocked Uruguay 3-1 in their opening group match, Costa Rica parlayed an indifferent opponent and Bryan Ruiz’s close-in rising header that clipped the underside of the crossbar and clearly dropped down over Buffon’s goal-line at the 44-minute mark.
The Azzurri had squandered two great earlier chances — Andrea Pirlo’s delicious, defence-opening pass sending in Mario Balotelli to chip wide of the net, then Balotelli pounding a shot down the throat of Costa Rican ’keeper Keylor Navas to claim.
Other than that, scant offensive push. Needing a Harley, the Italians showed up on a Vespa.
“I cannot explain the emotions I am feeling right now,” Ruiz said. “We suffered so much in this game. I dedicate the goal to my family and it’s incredible to score at a World Cup. We had dreamed of this moment, even though we knew people didn’t believe in us. We qualified ahead of teams much stronger than we are, so this is all a dream come true.
“We thank all those who did believe in us, as we’ve achieved something extraordinary considering our country’s size.”
Ruiz’s strike could only be considered sweet justice as baffling Chilean referee Enrique Osses had chosen to ignore a blatant Costa Rican penalty claim only minutes before, the woefully inadequate Giorgio Chiellini laying a Shea Weber-calibre check on Joel Campbell inside the box.
The Azzurri’s reigning minister of defence was run ragged by youthful English speed throughout Italy’s opener and he was the guilty party caught amateurishly ball-watching as Ruiz ghosted in to rise and power in the decisive header.
The awful Ignazio Abate, inserted into the back line by Prandelli after being stapled to the substitutes’ bench against England, was culpable on the goal, too, leaving Junior Diaz enough time to sail in the cross for Ruiz.
In a desperate search for some sort of fuse-lighter in the second half, Prandelli introduced Antonio Cassano, Lorenzo Insigne and Alessio Cerci.
He might as well have called Roberto Benigni’s number. So, sorting out group D ... Italy’s loss officially eliminates England. Costa Rica is through and barring a complete collapse in its final group game versus the nothing-to-play-for Three Lions, will top the group. And Uruguay must beat Italy to advance, being down a goal (minus-one to even) in the goal-difference tiebreaker.
“It has been a very good match,” said a jubilant Ticos tactician Jorge Luis Pinto. “The goal arrived just in the right moment and I feel that we have deserved this result.
“We have played a historic team. Our team and country feels proud. We want to go farther and I hope we will keep playing well because it will be positive for our team and our country. I was thanking God for this possibility after the game. It’s not easy to play Italy and I think our defence was perfect.
“We have to enjoy the moment. My players have given everything.”
For Pinto and his side, there is peace in the knowledge that they’ve done the business heading into Belo Horizonte to face a downtrodden England.
The Azzurri are left no such luxuries.
With the recovered Suarez in fine form and Uruguay riding the momentum of their dramatic, late-on 2-1 slaying of the English, they’ll be a handful, surely.
“A fundamental match,” said Italy’s Lorenzo Insigne. “It’s either in or out. Simple.”