Japan vs Costa Rica Final Scores, Highlights, 2022 World Cup Group E Match Results

Costa Rica claimed a potential win against Japan through Kesher Fuller’s late winner that gives the Central American side a lifeline at the 2022 World Cup.

The defender found himself outside the box with 10 minutes remaining, unable to deal with Japan goalkeeper Gonda. It was Costa Rica’s first shot on target of the tournament, and after a 7-0 drubbing by Spain, it gave them a win that few would have predicted.

Fuller’s goal lit up a pedestrian game that saw Costa Rica’s resilient defense cope well with Japan’s attacks. The Blue Samurai, who made five changes from the side that beat Germany, looked lethargic and only perked up after the break when Eto’o and especially Asano came on. Keylor Navas’ scramble save kept Japan at bay, setting the group up in tempting fashion ahead of Spain’s meeting with Germany later.

More:

Japan Squad World Cup 2022 Qatar

Costa Rica Squad World Cup 2022 Qatar

Japan Vs Costa Rica Score

Goals:

COS – Fuller – 81 Min

Confirmed lineups:

Japan Lineup (4-2-3-1, Right to Left):

12. Gonda (GK) — 2. Yamane, 4. Itakura, 22. Yoshida, 5. Nagatomo — 6. Endo, 13. Morita – 8. Doan, 15. Kamada 24. Mon – 21. Ueda.

Costa Rica Lineup (4-4-2, Right to Left):

1. Navas (GK) – 19. Weston, 6. Duarte, 15. Calvo, 8. Oviedo — 4. Fuller, 5. Borges, 17. Tejeda, 13. Torres – 12. Campbell, 7. Contreras

Japan vs Costa Rica Live Update, 2022 World Cup Highlights

Full-time: It’s all over! Costa Rica claims the ultimate smash-and-grab, victory against the odds!

95 min: Eto’o wins a free kick in the Costa Rica half – last chance, surely?

93 min: Mitomo is active as a sub and making a difference but Japan looks frustrated.

90 mins: There will be six minutes added on, and we’ve seen some late plays so far so stick with us!

87 mins: Chaos! Kamada takes a shot on goal but Navas claims it as a ball pinball.

84 min: Japan is not getting better and is now trailing, Spain coming up on matchday three. How quickly things can change.

80 min: Keshar Fuller was on the edge of the box, brought the ball to his left and Gonda got a hand but flipped a shot that curled into the top corner!

It was Costa Rica’s first shot on target at the World Cup!

What did I say about fizzing?

80 mins: GOOOOOOAAALLLLLL! Fuller’s best performance in Costa Rica’s lead!

78 min: Don’t come to the stands, the Japan fans are great but it feels like it’s fizzling out on the pitch.

73 mins: There’s a scuffle in the Japan area and replays show Endo pulling Weston’s shirt. Nothing was given.

71 min: The wall does its job and the free kick rebounds.

70 mins: Yellow card – Calvo pulls Eto’o back in the ‘D’ and is booked but it could have been a red – it looked like a clear goalscoring opportunity.

69 min: One goal might be enough today, that’s the feeling about it.

66 min: Costa Rica is flexible but not very attacking yet, and is yet to register a shot on target – in the competition!

62 mins: Soma beats it to the wall, but he can’t get it low enough and Navas watches it sink.

61 min: Ando is fouled in the ‘D’ and Japan has a free kick…

58 min: Japan have been in ‘stress mode’ since the break and it’s hard to see how Costa Rica can turn them around.

They love Keylor Navas…

49 min: BTW it was Nagatomo and Ueda who made their way on the break. Itakura and Ando had shots blocked from a corner but PSG stopper Navas claimed the rebound.

48 min: Japan already looks a different side with Asano on the pitch – more fun and working Navas again.

47 min: Asano almost makes a crucial contribution, feeding Morita who shoots from inside the box and forcing Navas to knock the ball over.

46 mins: Under the backs, Eto’o and Asano are active, Japan looks to be going back three.

Half Time: Just over a minute added and Michael Oliver fires over for the break. It’s not a classic, to be honest with you.

43 min: Yellow card – Yamane returns the compliment with a clip from behind on Campbell and is also booked.

41 min: Yellow card – Contreras goes awry on Yoshida’s knee and is booked by Michael Oliver, the first booking of the day.

37 min: Ando tries to weave through that backline but a perfectly timed tackle from Waston lifts the Japanese player. Seconds later and Endo is again denied, this time by Tejeda’s excellent block in the box.

35 mins: Ambitious Campbell, essays a shot with the outside of his left inside the box but his effort curls high over the bar.

33 mins: Neither side has ‘worked’ the opposition keeper yet. It’s Sunday morning for me, and I need something to wake me up!

29 min: Japan didn’t have much strength and still beat Germany, so their less impressive start today may not be a concern for Blue Samurai fans. It’s moving at some speed at the moment.

25 min: Costa Rica’s backline, at times in front of the box, are working really hard and getting their feet in when it matters. Japan can’t find a way, they have to be a little cute around the box.

21 min: It’s all very cagey, with so much at stake that it’s not really surprising. With short breaks between games and summer, the pattern seems to be slow-slow-fast-and-slow-back.

17 mins: Good work from Doan and Yamane wins Japan back it on the edge of the box Yamane tries hard to get it back from a tight angle but the ball bounces back. Japan is now improving.

13 min: But then Japan threaten, Doan keeping the ball away before moving Campbell across the face of the goal on the right of the box. At the end of it there is no one but that is Japan’s best moment.

12 mins: Costa Rica is still looking lively, with Campbell a particular threat on the left (and in the shadows).

8 min: So far so good but Costa Rica has improved from earlier matchdays – that won’t be too difficult.

4 min: Costa Rica win a couple of free kicks in quick succession, all taken by Campbell, who then goes on a flick-toe run that ends when he is fouled. Another free kick is floated into the box but Gonda easily claims it.

1 min: Japan’s first corner is whipped in but Ueda can’t bend it and Costa Rica are clear.

Kickoff: We’re on our way! Costa Rica kept it going, but Waston had to get out of the box after Japan won it and pushed it down the left.

Japan vs Costa Rica Lineup, Team News

Japan had some injury concerns at the World Cup, but those were put to rest in time. Ao Tanaka took a knock in the build-up for Fortuna Dusseldorf and was substituted in the second half against Germany. His fitness level is unclear.

Japan’s projected lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left):

12. Gonda (GK) — 19. Sakai, 4. Itakura, 16. Yoshida, 5. Nagatomo — 6. Endo, 7. Tanaka — 14. Ito, 15. Kamada 18. Kubo – 10. Maeda

There were concerns over the fitness of Costa Rica’s star man and No.1 Keylor Navas in the tournament. Aside from his seven-goal woes, Navas looked healthy against Spain.

Costa Rica predicted lineup (4-4-2, right to left):

1. Navas (GK) — 16. Martinez, 6. Duarte, 15. Calvo, 8. Oviedo — 4. Fuller, 5. Borges, 17. Tejeda , 9. Bennett – 12. Campbell, 7. Contreras

Japan vs Costa Rica Live Stream, TV Channel

The match will kick off at 13:00 local time in Qatar, with the Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium hosting this potentially decisive match.