World Cup: Serbia secure narrow win over Costa Rica

KATHMANDU: Serbia's captain Aleksandar Kolarov scored a sensational goal courtesy of free-kick to give his team a morale-boosting 1-0 triumph over Costa Rica at the Samara Arena today.

Serbia missed a host of chances before skipper Kolarov strode up to struck a decisive free-kick which curled over the bar and beyond outstretched gloves of Keylar Nevas.

Striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was the culprit of missing gilt edge chances to put the game to bed before being withdrawn on the dying minutes of the game to kill some valuable seconds.

In the closing stage, Costa Rica poured men forward in search of an equaliser but the Serbian rearguard stood firm to gain a valuable win.

Serbia, Costa Rica, Brazil and Switzerland are pitted in Group E. The runner-up of this group would potentially face Germany if they top their group F in the next round of 16.

Later today, World Champions Germany will take on Mexico at 8:45 pm kick-off. In late kick-off today, five-time world champions Brazil will lock horns against Switzerland at 11:45 pm.