Costa Rica v Serbia - Aleksandar Kolarov scores sensational free-kick as Serbia claim hard-fought World Cup 2018 win against Costa Rica - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia - Match 10

Aleksandar Kolarov produced a ­moment of captain’s inspiration, curling home a superb free-kick as Serbia got their Group E campaign up and running on Sunday.

The former Manchester City full-back had appeared to be injured in the warm-up but recovered to curl in the winner against Costa Rica.

Serbia had dominated the match but chances were at a premium until Kolarov made the breakthrough in the 56th minute.

With Brazil heavy favourites to win the group, which also features Switzerland, the victory delivered a potentially vital three points for Serbia and lifted a weight from coach Mladen Krstajic, in what was his first competitive game. “There was a great deal of pressure on the team, and on me, over the past seven months,” said Krstajic, who took the job in October.

Krstajic’s relief was matched in equal measure by the disappointment of Oscar Ramirez, the Costa Rica manager, whose side are now in a precarious position.

“Maybe we have lost a certain margin for qualifying,” he said. “It’s going to be difficult, but our intention remains the same. I told the lads ‘This isn’t over’.”

SOURCE:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-cup/2018/06/17/world-cup-2018-costa-rica-vs-serbia-live-score-latest-updates/