World Cup Day Three: Uruguay v. Costa Rica

Uruguay have not been in fine form in qualifying for the World Cup but this is the first World Cup match in Brazil since winning the tournament in 1950. The Copa América holders and World Cup 2010 semi-finalists required a play-off to reach the finals in Brazil. In a difficult but somewhat even group, it would be advisable to start the proceedings with a victory against what could be Group D's weakest opponents in Costa Rica. Luis Suárez is extremely unlikely to feature so Uruguay manager Óscar Tabárez may turn to Diego Forlán as a replacement.

Costa Rica will look to Joel Campbell and Bryan Ruiz to provide the goals against a side that they have never beaten in eight meetings. Costa Rica is one of four CONCACAF qualifiers for the World Cup and managed to avoid a qualifier for this tournament as they failed to make the previous World Cup, losing narrowly to none other than Uruguay over two legs in a qualification play-off.

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