Costa Rica stun Japan and leave Group E wide open

Japan have suffered a massive blow to ensure their qualification from Group E of this World Cup as Costa Rica have beaten Japan 1-0 at the Ahmed bin Ali Stadium.

Action: Well, the first 45 minutes was not worth waking early in a Sunday morning... a scrappy first half with not much action, with both nations more focused in not making mistakes.

The tempo and intensity were really low in the first period, so it would be really hard for a poorer second half.

Hajime Moriyasu made two half-time substitutions and the Samurai Blue improved, starting to play at a higher pace and creating more danger with two quick shots on target of the match within the first two minutes of the second period.

Japan dominated possession and continued to pile pressure on Costa Rica throughout the second half, but Los Ticos held firm.

With less than 10 minutes to play, Costa Rica went in front against the run of play after Keysher Fuller found space on the edge of the box and curled a shot past Shuichi Gonda, who could of done better to save.

For the remaining minutes, Japan failed to open up a resolute Costa Rican defence and get something out of this game.

Big Picture: The result leaves Group E wide open, with Costa Rica now level on three points with Japan and Spain - who still top the group on goal difference. A Spanish win later on against Germany will confirm their Last 16 ticket.

Japan missed a golden opportunity to confirm their place in the last 16 of the World Cup and will now need to get a result in their last game against Spain to keep their hopes of qualification alive.

Man of the match: Keysher Fuller. In a game har to stand-out a player, Fuller produced the moment of magic that guaranteed Costa Rica a vital win.

xG: Japan (1.05) 0-1 (0.12) Costa Rica

Stat of the Day: Keysher Fuller's 81st-minute winner was Costa Rica's first shot on target in the World Cup.