Moscow: Aleksandar Kolarov rolled back the years at the Samara Arena on Sunday with a delightful free-kick, sealing the three points for Serbia against Costa Rica in Group C’s first match in the FIFA World Cup 2018.
The win was a fair reward for a dominating performance from Serbia, although, the best chance of the match in the opening stages fell to Costa Rica’s centre-back Giancarlo Gonzalez.
A corner in the 12th minute was played short by Costa Rica, with David Guzman then aiming a cross at the back post which was met by an unmarked Gonzalez, who only managed to head over the goalpost from point-blank range.
Lazio’s 23-years-old Sergej Milinkovic-Savic, a reported target for Manchester United, was then found by Kolorov’s long ball. However, his shot being easily saved by Keylor Navas did not matter in the end as he was ruled offside.
Newcastle United’s Aleksandar Mitrovic had come close for Serbia on a couple of occasions, the most notable of his chances coming shortly after the restart when he spurned a one-on-one chance after Sergej Milinkovic-Savic picked him out with a through ball.
Real Madrid’s number 1-Navas then displayed his talent when he got down in time and made a great save from Mitrovic’s tame effort.
However, he was helpless from keeping out Kolarov’s free kick, which was awarded after Guzman fouled Mitrovic at the edge of the box.
Kolarov set-piece expertise was demonstrated in his curling, dipping effort, which beat the defensive wall as well as the keeper.
The free-kick was the third scored from direct free kicks scored this season, already as many scored in the whole of 2014 World Cup.
While Mitrovic and substitute Filip Kosticthen missed great chances to make it 2-0 towards the end, Serbia saw out the one-goal lead to claim the three points.
Serbia will next face Switzerland on Friday, while Costa Rica will face Brazil on the same day. (ANI)