COSTA RICA WORLD CUP HISTORY

For one of the smallest countries to reach the World Cup, Costa Rica has acquitted itself well. Who would have thought that a Central American minnow in its first-ever World Cup would sizzle at Italia '90, especially in a group that included World Cup veterans Sweden and Scotland?

The Ticos stunned Sweden 2-1 and edged the Scots 1-0 to become the first CONCACAF team to reach the second round of a European-based World Cup. Current coach Alexandre Guimaraes told bbc.com that it set "the benchmark for subsequent Costa Rican sides to follow." The Central American side, however, met its fate in the second round, falling to Czechoslovakia and Tomas Skuhravy, who connected for a hat-trick in a 4-1 win. Skuhravy, incidentally, feasted on CONCACAF sides in the tournament, striking twice in a 5-1 win over the U.S.

In 2002, Costa Rica was not so fortunate in what turned out to be one tough group. Drawn together with Brazil for a second time, Costa Rica did well with a 1-1-1 record, losing to South American side, defeating China, 2-0, and tying eventual third-place finisher Turkey, 1-1. The Turks moved on due to goal differential.