Bryan Ruiz (pictured) celebrates after scoring the only goal in Costa Rica's win over visiting Uruguay in an international friendly on September 8, 2015, in San Jose. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)
SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rica ended an 11-game winless streak with a 1-0 victory over visiting Uruguay in an international friendly on Tuesday at the Estadio Nacional.
It was the first win for head coach Oscar Ramirez in his second game since being named to the post three weeks ago. On Saturday, the Ticos dropped a narrow 1-0 decision to Brazil.
The goal came in the eighth minute, when Jhonny Acosta started the scoring sequence with a pass down the side for Celso Borges. His subsequent cross was directed by an Uruguayan defender to the top of the box, where Joel Campbell was perfectly positioned. The Arsenal forward lofted a ball towards the six-yard box that appeared to take an immediate deflection off Camilio Mayada’s back and spin towards the right post for Bryan Ruiz to head past goalkeeper Martin Silva.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was outstanding in posting the shutout, thwarting Mathias Corujo and Cristhian Stuani in the first and second halves, respectively.
The Central American champion had not won since October 14, 2014, a 3-1 triumph at Korea Republic. Each of the 11 outings that followed were decided by one goal or fewer.
