World Cup 2018: Switzerland set up date with Sweden but Costa Rica expose defensive flaws

Switzerland 2-2 Costa Rica: Josip Drmic’s late goal for Switzerland was cancelled out and there will have been a certain frustration at the ease with which they were cut open

Finally, Costa Rica had something to cheer. Bryan Ruiz’s last-gasp penalty off the back of Yann Sommer earned Costa Rica a deserved point in Nizhny Novgorod, putting the consolation floss on a miserable group stage. Josip Drmic’s late goal for Switzerland had appeared to give them their second win, and even if qualification was already pretty much secure, there will have been a certain frustration at the ease with which the Costa Ricans were able to cut them open.

Even if the sting was drawn from the game by Brazil’s romp in Moscow, there was still a good deal of enterprise and vigour in this entertaining match. For Switzerland, a case of job done. Just Sweden now separate them from a place in the quarter-finals, and even if Stephan Lichtsteiner and Fabian Schär will miss the game after picking up second yellow cards, they will still fancy their chances.

Stephan Lichtsteiner will miss Switzerland’s next game (AFP/Getty Images)

The much-improved Costa Rica, meanwhile, made you wonder how much more they might have achieved if they had shown this sort of attacking intent earlier in the tournament. Having gone a goal down, they equalised through Kendall Waston and indeed had chances to take the lead. At least they have avoided the ignominy of being the only side to leave Russia without a goal to their name, but after the thrill ride of 2014, this campaign will nevertheless go down as a disappointment.

It was harsh on Sommer, too, who had played a big part in keeping the game level early on, denying both Daniel Colindres and Celso Borges with sprawling fingertip saves. And it was largely against the run of play that they took the lead. Lichtsteiner’s superb cross from the right-hand side was headed down by Breel Embolo, showing good strength at the back post. At which point, the onrushing Blerim Dzemaili caned the ball with a force that you have to say was frankly unnecessary given he was just six yards from goal. It was a strike that would have uprooted a less sturdy net from its moorings.

Briefly, Switzerland topped the group, only for Brazil’s goal in Moscow to push them back down to second. Then, 10 minutes into the second half, Waston – the man whose injury-time equaliser against Honduras had sealed Costa Rica’s qualification back in October – brilliantly headed home Joel Campbell’s corner to draw them level here, the 32nd and final team to score at this World Cup. Although it could scarcely have made the slightest difference to their hopes of qualification, Waston and the Costa Rica fans still celebrated the goal as if it was the extra-time winner in a semi-final. Proof, above all, that this competition matters for all sorts of reasons, to all sorts of people.

Drmic might have scored earlier, heading against the bar with 15 minutes left. But his unstoppable finish three minutes from time appeared to have sealed the game for Switzerland. But with virtually their last attack, Campbell won a penalty, and after a spot of VAR nonsense Ruiz’s kick cannoned off the crossbar, off Sommer and in. Ridiculous, really, but in a tournament that has produced more than its fair share of late drama, did you really expect anything else?