Uruguay 1-3 Costa Rica: La Celeste stunned by Ticos’ second-half comeback
England's World Cup group has taken an intriguing twist as Costa Rica produced a stirring second half comeback to shock Uruguay.
The Central American side were billed as Group D's whipping boys, however, they looked anything but that with an incredible display in the Estádio Castelão.
Jorge Luis Pinto's team looked up for it from kick-off and could be deemed unfortunate to fall behind to an Edinson Cavani penalty.
Unlike so many calls at this World Cup it was a totally justified decision from the officials as Ticos defender Junior Diaz foolishly wrapped his arms around Diego Lugano and hauled the captain down in the box.
Cavani made no mistake from the spot but even from there Costa Rica refused to let their heads drop.
Arsenal striker Joel Campbell had already offered an indication of his threat with a smashing strike from 35-yards that just missed the top corner but the Uruguayans did not heed their warning.
Instead they sat off in the second half and it proved fatal as Christian Gamboa refused to give up a lost cause and picked out the 21-year-old, who spent the season on loan at Olympiakos, to lash the ball past Fernando Muslera.
Red shirts danced with delight in the stands and just two minutes later a huge shock was on the cards when Oscar Duarte got ahead of Christian Stuani to nod the ball into the far corner.
Uruguay, who left Luis Suarez on the bench, were stunned and Campbell almost put the result beyond doubt with another rasping long range strike similar to his earlier effort - once again it narrowly went past the top corner.
The forward was running rings around the Uruguayans and with seven minutes remaining he produced the goods again, smartly picking out Marco Urena for his strike partner to slide the ball home.
And just to round off a horrific evening for the South American side, Maximiliano Pereira got a straight red for a horror challenge on Campbell with just minutes left.
Such a result leaves England and Italy as clear favourites to qualify from the group, though both will know they have their work cut out against Costa Rica.