SAINT PETERSBURG, Russia - If history is a good indicator, the Costa Rican National Team will fancy its chances in its 2018 FIFA World Cup opener on Sunday versus Serbia.
The Ticos will square off against the European side to open Group E at the Cosmos Arena in Samara, and a look back at past World Cup openers suggests that Oscar Ramirez's side will be confident at getting three points.
In its first ever appearance at a FIFA World Cup at Italy 1990 playing in Group C, Costa Rica came out 1-0 winners against Scotland thanks to a Juan Cayasso goal in the 49'.
That initial victory led to a second group stage win versus Sweden, 2-1, earning the Ticos a spot in the second round before falling 4-1 to Czechoslovakia.
Twelve years later at Korea/Japan 2002, Costa Rica would again claim a win in its group stage debut with a 2-0 triumph over China in Group C, with Ronaldo Gomez (61') and Mauricio Wright (65) providing the goals.
Unfortunately for Costa Rica, it was on the wrong end of a tiebreaker on goal difference with Turkey and did not advance.
Germany 2006 was not as kind to the Ticos. Despite a Paulo Wanchope brace, Costa Rica fell 4-2 to hosts Germany to kick off Group A and was unable to earn a point in three group stage matches.
Things were vastly different to open Group D in Brazil 2014, as Joel Campbell (54'), Oscar Duarte (57') and Marco Urena (84') all scored in a 3-1 win over Uruguay, which laid the groundwork for Costa Rica's memorable run to the quarterfinals.
Now with Costa Rica set to start at Russia 2018, the Ticos will be out to claim its fourth win in five World Cup openers.
"We are continuing our preparation ahead of the debut, we are in Russia now and we should experience the World Cup party," said MF Celso Borges to reporters on Wednesday.
"The attitude is good at this moment and we are looking forward, focused on the goal which is to win the first game," concluded Borges.
