Serbia defeated Costa Rica 1-0 after Aleksandar Kolarov scored the third direct free-kick of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia. In a tightly-contested duel at the Samara Arena, with both teams creating several goalscoring chances, it was Serbia’s day, as the Orlovi put a precious three points on the board.

Match Facts

• Serbia captain Aleksandar Kolarov scores winning goal.
• Kolarov’s effort is third direct free-kick goal so far at Russia 2018
• Kolarov awarded with man of the match for his stunning performance.

Serbia threatened in the opening seconds, Aleksandar Mitrovic flicking on dangerously from an early corner before Giancarlo Gonzalez cleared. The action switched to the other end moments later, Vladimir Stokovic saving an angled strike from Marco Urena and, from the resulting corner, gathering a header by Giancarlo Gozalez.

Serbia did exactly what they promised in the build-up to the match. They played like a team, covering positions for one another, they did not underestimate their opponent and they did not get caught in the headlights of playing in a first World Cup match in eight years.

Watch full highlights of Serbia Vs Costa Rica FIFA World cup football match here:

Costa Rica had opportunities in the first half and they did not take advantage of them. In the second half, Serbia were more confident and scored the decisive goal. At 56′ minute A superb second-half free kick from Aleksandar Kolarov was enough to give Serbia a 1-0 win over Costa Rica in a scrappy match at the Samara Arena.

“I think it was a tight match. We should’ve capitalised on our opportunities like they did. We had our tactical plan in place and with the subs, we tried to attack them on the wings. We tried to execute our plan but they managed to score on a set piece. What can you do?”  –  Oscar Ramirez, Costa Rica Head Coach.

This game was about efficacy and accuracy and some players of Costa Rica did not have that this time. Their attackers were isolated throughout the second half and they did not create enough opportunities to score. Aleksandar Kolarov came up with the decisive moment of the match is unanimously decided as the man of the match.

Kolarov scores free kick goal against costa rica in fifa world cup

See all goals details of Serbia Vs Costa Rica FIFA World cup football match:

56′ :  GOALLLL !!!!!!!! KOLAROV (SERBIA) SCORES DIRECT FROM A FREE-KICK. What a goal ..Whata performance. This is 3rd free kick goal in this tournament and Serbia took the crucial lead in the match

“My players had the right attitude and approach: unity. We had to be a compact unit in both defence and attack and that’s most important. I don’t deal with statistics. I don’t care what happened in the past. What’s most important for me is that we played as a team and we were focused. We have to be planted firmly on the ground and continue as a team.” –

Mladen Krstajic, Serbia Head Coach

Catch all  latest scores, highlights, updates for FIFA world cup news in at Royaltrendingnews.com