Costa Rica played extremely defensive, sitting back on Serbia allowing players like Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Tadic to wreak havoc. Nemanja Matic nullified Los Ticos midfield lynchpin in Bryan Ruiz and prevented any serious damage to Serbia. 

Costa Rica

Keylor Navas - 5

Needed to make some routine saves early as Serbia dominated the first half which included getting down to his right to deny Milinkovis-Savic's overhead kick. Nothing he could do about Kolarov's free-kick as it was curling away into the top corner.

Johnny Acosta - 4

As most of Serbia's attacks came down the avenue of Francisco Calvo, Acosta wasn't peppered as much and actually did well to push Kolarov and co. down the left from threatening at the by-line. 

Giancarlo Gonzalez - 4

Should have opened the scoring for Costa Rica with a free header at the back post into the hands of Stojkovic. Some poor defending, being fended off way too much by Mitrovic as he was able to control a high ball in the box with his feet multiple times. 

Oscar Duarte - 5

Not a great match from one of 2014's sweethearts as he strided forward but lacked in the final third. Duarte seemed stressed with the defensive mindset and tactical approach to the match. 

Francisco Calvo - 5.5

Without the help of Johan Venegas defensively Calvo would have been completely overwhelmed by the Serbian front line. 

Christian Gamboa - 5.5

Plenty of push and shove from the defender who was stationed at central defence. Aleksander Mitrovic was causing plenty of problems for his back line. 

Celso Borges - 4

Seemed disjointed from the match especially after Serbia opened the scoring. Plenty of sideways passing as Serbia's setup nullified the dynamism in the Costa Rica team. 

Bryan Ruiz - 3

Costa Rica's skipper was involved early setting up a chance for Marco Ureña in the opening minutes. The rest of the first half, Ruiz was isolated by Nemanja Matic and had absolutely no look in for Costa Rican attacks. 

Adam Guzman - 3

Pushing his luck with the referee with some tedious tackles, eventually earning a yellow card. Guzman couldn't hold out a rampant Milinkovic-Savic and struggled to control any play in midfield. 

Johan Venegas - 2.5

Poor in the final third in the first half as he hesitated to fire crosses in when he had the opportunity. Substituted after an hour for Bolanos. 

Marco Urena - 5

Pivotal for Costa Rica's early pressure as he fashioned chances for himself as well as making himself a nuisance. Costa Rica sat back and soaked up pressure which left him isolated. 

SUBS

Christian Bolaños - 5

Cap number 83 for Costa Rica as he was brought on following Kolarov's free-kick. 

Joel Campbell - 5

Unable to make an impact for Costa Rica who had little going forward the entire match. 

Daniel Colindres - N/A

Serbia

Vladimir Stojkovic - 6

One point blank save in the bread basket summed up the first half as Serbia were on the front foot with Costa Rica rarely threatening. 

Dusko Tosic​ - 6

Tosic had a solid game playing across the back four, providing cover for Serbia’s slower centre backs. Great jockeying to deny Costa Rica’s threats out wide.. 

Branislav Ivanovic - 7

A brilliant match from the record-breaker. Ivanovic became the most capped Serbian international with his 104th match. He was immense in defence and superb going forward with Dusan Tadic. 

Aleksander Kolarov - 8

An injury pre-game clouded over the skipper but some tough challenges early quashed any problems with the Serbian captain. A textbook free-kick gave Serbia the lead in the 58th minute forcing Costa Rica out of their shell. 

Nikola Milenkovic - 7.5

The young central defender making his debut at the FIFA World Cup impressed next to Milivojevic. He shook off some shaky marking to deliver some positive clearances and tackles. 

Luka Milivojevic - 6.5

Despite some worrying distribution at the beginning of the match, the Crystal Palace defender enjoyed a brilliant opening match at the World Cup with some astute tackles and exemplars of his aerial ability. 

Dusan Tadic - 7

Making in roads throughout the entire match down his right side giving Acosta a rough wake up call and a subsequent nightmare. 

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic - 8

The Serie A superstar took a few minutes to open up, once Nemanja Matic moved into his rhythm, Milinkovic-Savic got the space to move and be spontaneous. Darting past players and a saved overhead kick was a good indication the Lazio midfielder is ready for the big time. 

Nemanja Matic - 8

Had Costa Rica's skipper Bryan Ruiz in his back pocket the enitre match as Costa Rica decided to not pile pressure onto Serbia.

Adam Ljajic - 5.5

A quiet match from the winger who struggled to see the ball and had to move centrally to find touches. 

Aleksander Mitrovic - 6

Butchered a golden opportunity to put Serbia a goal up only two minutes into the second half. A chance he would bury every day of the week was scuppered as Keylor Navas saved behind his post. 

SUBS

Filip Kostic - 6

The fingertip of Navas denied Kostic the opportunity to make it 2-nil as the goalkeeper parried away Tadic's cross. 

Antonio Rukavina - N/A

Aleksander Prijovic - N/A