Can Costa Rica stun Italy in the World Cup on Friday?

Can Costa Rica spring a second surprise in Group D?

Costa Rica surprised most of us when they dismantled Uruguay last Saturday, can they do the same to a strong Italian side? Alex Johnson investigates...

Costa Rica caused arguably the biggest shock of the first round of group matches at the World Cup 2014, when they beat Uruguay 2-1.

This island in Central America, who up until that win was best known on the footballing radar for Paulo Wanchope and his debut solo goal at Old Trafford for Derby County in 2007, arrived in Brazil widely expecting to be the whipping boys of Group D.

Costa Rica entered the World Cup ranked 28th in the FIFA standings and mere minnows in the pond compared to group rivals Uruguay, Italy and England - who boast a combined seven World Cup wins between them. Yet the Costa Rica class of 2014, who are getting motivation from Wanchope as assistant to head coach Jose Luis Pinto, scored two goals in three minutes through Joel Campbell and Oscar Duarte to stun Uruguay, before Marcos Urena raced clear to score a third late on.

So was that a one-off victory and Costa Rica are now going to slip off quietly into the sun? Or are Costa Rica ready to shed the underdog tags yet again and make the world take up and stand notice by getting into the World Cup knockout stages?

Costa Rica can make it into the history books if they can pull off another shock win over Italy on Friday, as the USA and Mexico are the only CONCACAF nations in history to have won consecutive World Cup matches so far.

Next up for Pinto's side come the Italians in Recife, and they sit with them atop of Group D with three points, after the Azzurri beat England 2-1 in their opening match. It certainly looks like a win for either side would pretty much guarantee their spot in the next stage, but it is by no means certain that the perceived giants of Italy are assured of three points to saunter through.

The heat in Recife during Friday's game is going to play a massive part in the game, with the match taking place at the hottest time of the day, at 1PM local time. That means scorching heat and humidity for all the players to cope with, and that could play into Costa Rica's hands as they are more accustomed to such a difficult climate.

Italy defender Daniele De Rossi even admitted earlier this week that Italy were "dying" when they played Japan in Recife at 9PM during last year's Confederations Cup - and the conditions are only going to be worse against Costa Rica some eight hours earlier. In an ideal world, Costa Rica need to keep the ball and let Italy chase so they will tire very quickly. However, Italy will be typical Italy, and that means Andrea Pirlo and co are likely to dominate the possession statistics, so Costa Rica will have to be patient, save their legs and look to use their pace on the counter attack.

When it comes to speed, key to Costa Rica's aspirations is going to be Joel Campbell after the 21-year-old striker put in a fantastic display against Uruguay, scoring one and setting up another. The Arsenal man constantly tormented Uruguay with his pace and power, while his goal - when he controlled the ball and scored with a great half-volley - was testament to his finishing potential. 

It is a sign how much he troubled Uruguay that Maxi Pereira lost his rag with Campbell and earned a late red card after the Costa Rica frontman was still chasing hard and eating up time even towards the dying minutes of the game. Campbell showed during the last season on loan at Olympiakos - where he shot to fame with performances in the Champions League - that he can also create as well as score. Indeed against Uruguay he had a hand in two of Costa Rica's three goals to show how important he is to the team.

England showed against Italy how vulnerable the Azzurri can be to quick attacks, with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge skipping past blue shirts with ease on numerous occasions. Costa Rica have scored in all six of their World Cup games against teams from Europe, so they will be confident of getting their name on the score sheet.

Indeed, they are likely to name the same team that did so well against Uruguay. With confidence undoubtedly going to be high then it makes perfect sense not to change a winning team.

A victory for Costa Rica against Italy and they are virtually assured of going through and making it into the knockout stages for only the second time in their history - after they reached the round of 16 at Italia 90. Even a draw against Italy would be a great result for them and, if England and Uruguay were to draw in their game, then avoiding defeat in their final match would see them through.

A defeat to Italy wouldn't end the dream for Costa Rica as victory over England in their final game could see them make it into the next stage. And England are another team that have shown themselves susceptible at the back - who knows what can happen in an all-or-nothing match. Pinto's side should fancy their chances of getting points in both of their remaining matches. No-one outside their home country expected anything of Costa Rica, but everybody loves an underdog story and it would be the story of the World Cup if they progress.

Costa Rica are undoubtedly an unpredictable team and that can always lead to complacency from bigger opponents such as Italy or England. Indeed, Uruguay didn't look prepared and look what happened to them. From England's perspective, such an unknown and unpredictable team can be the worst kind to face in a final winner-takes-all game. And Costa Rica are indeed erratic, they cruised through qualifying yet came into the World Cup not in good form, winning only four and losing six of their last eleven games.

Who knows which Costa Rica will turn up against Italy in Recife and then in Belo Horizonte against England four days later in the final round of group games. Will it be the Costa Rica that blew away Uruguay or the one which lost to Honduras and could only draw with Jamaica at the back end of last year? If they are on song, Costa Rica could well have enough to get the required points in their remaining two games. And given their display against Uruguay maybe it shouldn't be considered that much of a shock if they progress.