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World Cup: Costa Rica target third win after beating Italy to reach last 16

Image: Jorge Luis Pinto: Delighted with Costa Rica’s victory over England

Jorge Luis Pinto praised his Costa Rica side for ‘making history’ after they beat Italy to reach the last 16 of the World Cup, before setting his sights on a victory over England in their final group game.

Bryan Ruiz scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 win over the Azzurri as Costa Rica followed up their success against Uruguay with another magnificent performance.

A draw against England would secure top spot in Group D, but Pinto is determined to secure maximum points.

He said: "Of course we want to win the next match now and I must ask my players to keep calm and play just as well.

"We knew that we could make history for Costa Rica and today we have done that. That's what I told my players today - let's change history.

"It was a beautiful match and the people of Costa Rica deserve this day. They have supported the team and me and this was for them."

Pinto added: "We have played a historic team. They're really good. They have wonderful players so, of course, we feel really proud. 

More from World Cup Group D

“Our team feels proud, our country feels proud. ... We want to go even farther."

Maybe there are a lot of people who didn't have faith in us because we were in the 'Group of Death'. But the dead are the other ones and we're going to the next round.
Bryan Ruiz

Costa Rica had been the outsiders in a tough group but they have defied the odds and goalscorer Ruiz is delighted with their progress.

"Maybe there are a lot of people who didn't have faith in us because we were in the 'Group of Death'. But the dead are the other ones and we're going to the next round," Ruiz said.
                  
Goalkeeper Keylor Navas says it was Costa Rica’s target to make it out of the group, but they now want to kick on and gather further momentum by beating England.

He told Sportv: "Costa Rica came to fight, we knew it would be hard and that nobody would give us anything for free, but we wouldn't give anyone anything either. We would not give up and we would defend our country, our family and our people.

"We are calm, we know we still have one game to play.

“What matters is that we have reached the second round, which was our objective. We have to take (the game against England) seriously. 

“Nobody wants to give gifts to anyone, we have to keep fighting."


 

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