Spain vs Costa Rica: 5 talking points

#4 Costa Rica missed the brilliance of Ruiz and Navas

Bryan Ruiz and Keylor Navas

Going back to Costa Rica's phenomenal outing in Brazil three years ago, one of the driving factors behind the same was the incredible prowess of Bryan Ruiz and Keylor Navas in their respective areas of operation. Whilst the former ran the show from the midfield and also shared the scoring burden of his team, the Real Madrid custodian was the bulwark that repelled almost everything thrown at him.

The influence that these two had on the Ticos at the time was unbelievable. And without them today, the visitors looked a poor imitation.

With Danny Carvajal (not to be confused with that of Spain) guarding the net in the absence of Navas, Costa Rica were missing an authoritative figure at the back as they easily gave into Spain's high-pressing. Whilst the defence wasn't any better, Carvajal was at fault for one of the goals and could have done better in that moment to prevent conceding.

The creative mantle that Ruiz normally carries fell to the incapable shoulders in his absenteeism and the Central Americans struggled to keep the juices flowing. The attacking midfield pivot of Silva, Alcantara, Iniesta and Isco was too hot to handle and succumbed to pressure.

Oscar Ramirez and his side have a huge task at hand if they were to replicate the success of 2014 FIFA, and they clearly need Ruiz and Navas back if they were to even harbour the hopes of it.