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The Independent UK
The Independent UK
Sport
Molly Hudson

Costa Rica vs Serbia LIVE World Cup 2018: Aleksander Kolarov wins game with stunning free-kick goal

The first match of Group E is set to be an exciting one as Costa Rica take on Serbia

Los Ticos will have a lot to make up for after they were beaten in both of their World Cup warm-up matches, despite having quite a wonderful run four years ago in Brazil. 

Serbia's squad is looking strong at the moment, especially after Aleksandar Mitrovic scored a hat-trick in their final warm-up match. Considering Mladen Krstajić's men haven't reached the knock-out phase in 20 years, Costa Rica might have a slight advantage. 

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15:07
Thanks for joining us for game one of the day, but fear not we have two games to come, as Germany and Brazil make their tournament bows.
 
You can follow all the action in the 4pm kick off between Germany and Mexico below.
14:56
FULL TIME: Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia
We eventually reach the full time whistle, and Serbia have the victory, Aleksandar Kolarov's sweetly struck free-kick enough to beat a toothless Costa Rica
14:55
97 mins: If you're thinking we should be done by now...then yes it should. We are into extra time, of extra time as VAR is introduced. The referee goes to review an incident where Prijovic accidentally strikes the defender, but it's decided play can continue
14:52
95 mins: There was one final chance for Costa Rica, Bolanos blazes over a rebound from close range but the offside flag is raised to spare his blushes
14:51
93 mins: Costa Rica corner, Serbia break, and then we have bizarre scenes as Matic attempts to take on the entire Costa Rica bench to get the ball for a throw in...that wasn't even his
14:47
90 mins: Mitrovic off, Prijovic on and we are into five added minutes - seems to be a theme this World Cup to have plenty of added time
14:44
86 mins: Costa Rica have really offered little going forward. Mitrovic has another chance but takes too long and it goes begging again
14:39
82 mins: We are limping to the end here, with plenty of stoppages and now its Tadic taking his time to leave the field, replaced by Rukavina coming on. Attacker replaced by defender, and that's Serbia shutting up shop
14:32
75 mins: The old experienced Serbian heads starting to play a part here, an extra couple of seconds on throw ins and stoppages in play, and without an out-an-out striker on the pitch, its hard to see where a Costa Rican goal may come from
14:27
70 mins: Ljajic off, Kostic replaces him for Serbia looking to add some more energy to the Serbians
14:24
67 mins: And with that lack of attacking intent, Urena has made way for Joel Campbell. Can he provide the spark to get Costa Rica back into this one?
14:22
65 mins: Costa Rica trying to push forward after conceding the goal, but lacking a little quality upfront. 
14:17
59 mins: Ivanovic picks up a yellow, and now even more vulnerable in defence
 
Venegas is replaced for Costa Rica, and on comes the experienced Cristian Bolanos
14:15
56 mins: GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia (Aleksandar Kolarov)
What a goal that is! Kolarov, with his brilliant left foot, curls a free kick into the top corner, two goalkeepers couldn't have saved that, despite Navas' best efforts
14:13
54 mins: Corner for Serbia, Mitrovic under heavy pressure from Costa Rican defenders, not for the first time they're walking the tightrope between pressure and fouling the striker
 
Now David Guzman picks up a yellow for a foul on Mitrovic and Serbia have a free kick
14:08
50 mins: Kolarov looks uncomfortable and holding his back...a second injury scare for him
 
Mitrovic one-on-one with Navas, should score, but Navas does well to smother it. Serbia this time with the early chance they've wasted
14:02
SECOND HALF: Costa Rica get us underway in the second half
14:02
Here's hoping the second half can continue in the same vein as the opening 10 minutes, both need victory here with favourites Brazil, and a tricky looking Switzerland up next
13:47
HALF TIME: Costa Rica 0-0 Serbia
A game that started with a flurry of action and promised so much, petered out midway through the half. Costa Rica with the clearest chance, as Giancarlo Gonzalez blazed a header over the bar whilst unmarked early on
13:44
43 mins: Milinkovic-Savic goes close with an overhead kick that's saved by Keylor Navas. The linesman wrongly flags for offside, but both sides with a late surge before the half-time whistle
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What time is kick-off?

Peru vs Denmark kicks off at 1pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be shown on ITV.

Odds

Costa Rica: 7/2

Serbia: 10/11

Draw: 9/4

Prediction

Costa Rica 2-1 Serbia. 

 

But who do you think will win? Let us know by voting above.

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