Costa Rica stunned an Uruguay side who were without superstar striker Luis Suarez by a 3-1 scoreline on Saturday afternoon in Fortaleza. The highly-fancied Uruguayans were caught surprised early in the match by an attacking oriented Ticos side that was maintaining a possession advantage. Despite being outplayed, Uruguay drew a penalty in Minute 24 when Diego Lugano was taken down in the area. Edison Cavani converted the ensuing penalty to give Uruguay a 1-0 lead. The Uruguayans maintained the one goal lead into halftime though Costa Rica thanks to some nice attacking moves were able to maintain pressure and a slight possession advantage.

The second half opened and Uruguay was almost immediately on the back foot.  Costa Rica scored twice in rapid succession, with Joel Campbell one of the most exciting young players in the CONCACAF region equalizing in spectacular fashion.  Minutes later, Oscar Duarte finished a set piece opportunity with an outstanding header. Costa Rica continued to get men forward, counter attacking with numbers and pulling Uruguay central defenders further and further apart.

In minute 84, substitute Marcos Ureña finished the match off for Costa Rica with the Ticos third goal. Uruguay’s lack of composure showed late on as Maxi Pereira was sent off after a petulant kick out at Campbell.

The Ticos surprise performance means that the CONCACAF region has won both its matches thus far in the 2014 World Cup.