Dinnia Diaz’s Heroics Can’t Hold Brazil At Bay – Group E Match Report

Costa Rica 0

 

 

Brazil 1

Raquel Fernandes 83

 

2015  FIFA Women’s World Cup, Group E

 

Dinnia Diaz’s Heroics Can’t Hold Brazil At Bay

For a long time, it looked like Brazil would be denied a third group win by the heroics of Costa Rica’s keeper Dinnia Diaz. But in the 83rd minute, Brazil finally found a way past her as Raquel Fernandes got the required power and placement to place the ball into the bottom-left corner.

Although the statistics would tell otherwise, the result was deeply unfair on Costa Rica who deserved a point from the game. In the end, it would not have seen them through to the Last 16, but it would have been the reward that their defensive performance deserved.

Brazil will now face Australia in the Last 16, whilst Costa Rica depart having put their women’s football on the map.

Team News

Costa Rica named the same starting eleven that had drawn against South Korea.

With their place in the Last 16 as group winners already secure, Brazil made six changes. Poliana, Rosana, Raquel Fernandes, Maurine, Gabriela and Darlene replaced Fabiana, Andressa Alves, Formiga, Thaisa, Cristiane and Marta.

Match Report

Brazil started the game on the front foot, with Rosana heading over from a corner before Monica headed wide, this time from a free-kick.

Brazil though they had taken the lead in the 23rd minute. A slick passing move saw Rosana pass to Gabriela who fired the ball past Dinnia Diaz at the near post, but the goal was correctly ruled out for offside.

Costa Rica came close to taking the lead when Shirley Cruz’s cross picked out Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno, but she headed straight at Luciana.

Bu tit was Brazil who was dictating the game. Monica’s long pass sent Darlene through, but her venomous shot was saved by Diaz. Minutes later, the ball fell to Darlene, but her shot was superbly saved by Diaz low down at full stretch.

Poliana’s cross was flicked on by Darlene towards the far post where Rosana’s shot was blocked by Diana Saenz.

Brazil had the first chance of the second half when the ball set up nicely for Raquel Fernandes, but her volley was well saved by Diaz.

Raquel Fernandes diagonal pass sent Beatriz into the box, but her powerful shot was tipped over by Diaz. Then Poliana’s cross picked out Rosana, but somehow her volley was saved by Diaz at point blank range.

Brazil kept on trying to score, but Diaz kept on refusing to concede. This time Raquel Fernandes tried to lob her, but the keeper reacted quickly to tatch the ball. On the edge of the box, Raquel Fernandes shot with power, but incredibly Diaz managed to make the save.

Costa Rica had a chance from a 25-yard free-kick, but Katherine Alvarado curled the ball wide.

And then finally, Brazil broke Diaz’s brave resistance. Andressa played Raquel Fernandes into the penalty area who shot across goal and depsite Diaz getting a fingertip to it, the ball crossed the line.

Costa Rica nearly found an equaliser when Shirley Cruz’s diagnonal pass played Melissa Herrera into the box, but she took one too many touches which allowed Andressa to make the goal-saving tackle.

Woman of the Match

Dinnia Diaz – Costa Rica

Final Group E Table

Country	P	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
Brazil	3	3	0	0	4	0	+4	9
South Korea	3	1	1	1	4	5	-1	4
Costa Rica	3	0	2	1	3	4	-1	2
Spain	3	0	1	2	2	4	-2	1

Teams

Costa Rica: (4-3-3) Dinnia Diaz, Diana Saenz, Carol Sanchez, Wendy Acosta, Lixy Rodriguez, Shirley Cruz (c), Katherine Alvardo (Fabiola Sanchez 86), Raquel Rodriguez Cedeno, Melissa Herrera, Cristin Granados (Carolina Venegas 57), Maria Barrantes (Karla Villalobos 72).

Brazil: (4-4-2) Luciana, Poliana, Monica (Gessica 66), Rafaelle, Tamires, Raquel Fernandes, Maurine (c), Andressa, Rosana, Gabrielea (Rafaela 78), Darlene (Beatriz 59).

Goal: Raquel Fernandes 83.