RECIFE, Brazil – Had Costa Rica been a lesser team, it might still be stewing over referee Enrique Osses' refusal to give a penalty when explosive striker Joel Campbell was taken down in the area.
Instead, the Ticans mounted another of their numerous assaults on the Italian defense, scoring a minute later when Bryan Ruiz headed home Oscar Duarte's long curling cross from the left wing.
Playing with confidence and attacking relentlessly, Costa Rica seized control of Group D with a 1-0 victory over Italy that might have been more lopsided if not for goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon.
Entering the World Cup as the second-place team in CONCACAF qualifying, the Costa Ricans looked like the weakest team in a group also including Uruguay and England. Not anymore.
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