URUGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fans in Montevideo dismayed by 3-1 loss to Costa Rica

Record ID: 351648

  • Title: URUGUAY: FOOTBALL / SOCCER - Fans in Montevideo dismayed by 3-1 loss to Costa Rica
  • Date: 14th June 2014
  • Summary: MONTEVIDEO, URUGUAY (JUNE 14, 2014) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF DESERTED MAIN AVENUES IN DOWNTOWN VARIOUS OF MAIN PLAZA WHERE CROWDS WATCH THE WORLD CUP VARIOUS OF URUGUAYAN SOCCER FANS EXTERIOR OF PIZZERIA 'EL GAUCHO' VARIOUS INTERIORS INSIDE THE EATERY WITH FANS WATCHING THE MATCH VARIOUS OF FANS WATCHING THE GAME (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) WALTER RODRIGUEZ, URUGUAYAN SOCCER FAN SA
  • Embargoed: 29th June 2014 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Uruguay
  • Country: Uruguay
  • Topics: Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAD3D8O8FJ4HSX20I27A9PY8L97
  • Story Text: Uruguayan soccer fans watched in silence as Costa Rica swept Uruguay off the Fortaleza pitch in a pulsating 3-1 World Cup victory to grab early top spot in Group D on Saturday (June 14), with England and Italy to clash later.
    In Montevideo, enthusiasts gathered en masse to watch the match in public places wearing the blue and white national colors.
    At the pizzeria "Gaucho" fans sat glumly watching the match.
    "To lament and to cry here don't help. What we have to do here is to have faith and confidence and to keep believing in these boys," said fan Walter Rodriguez.
    Uruguay, semi-finalists four years ago, led at halftime through an Edinson Cavani penalty but the second half was all Costa Rica's as they ran amok in another hugely entertaining World Cup clash.
    Two goals in four minutes switched the tempo entirely. First Joel Campbell smashed in a thunderous left-foot half-volley to level matters in the 53rd minute, then Oscar Duarte dived head-first among flying boots to head into the far corner to leave Uruguay reeling.
    Marcos Urena slid in the third with six minutes left as Costa Rica romped to a first-ever victory over Uruguay in nine attempts in all competitions and Uruguay's bad day was completed when Maximiliano Pereira was sent off in stoppage time for a wild kick at Campbell.
    After the match fans walked quietly through the streets of Montevideo contemplating the loss and what lays ahead on their way home.
    ""Well, this has just started so we will keep coming with everything because nothing is lost," said Rosana Hornes who had not lost the faith.
    "It was a hard hit," said fan Daniel Perez. "We really weren't expecting it and many of us bet that the game would be three to zero but that is not the end result so forward and wait."
    Uruguay face England in their next group match while the jubilant Costa Ricans, who have only once made it out of the group stages at a World Cup, will take on Italy.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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