Kolarov free-kick fires Serbia to victory over Costa Rica

All eyes will be on the later fixture between Brazil and Switzerland but both Costa Rica and Serbia were keen to give a good account of themselves in the opening game and they did just that.

It was an electric start with both trying to get on the offensive foot, leading to a host of early chances for either side.

Costa Rica came close when a short corner gave Marco Urena a better angle to float it in an inviting ball, which eliminated all of Serbia's defence. Giancarlo Gonzalez was free and had time to direct his header on goal but instead panicked, sending it high of the crossbar.

Serbia immediately when down the other end with a quick counter. Former Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic drilled a low cross along the face of goal, requiring Keylor Navas to get an important hand to parry it away from a poaching Aleksandar Mitrovic.

As the first half progressed, the European side grew into the game and young star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic was amongst the thick of the action.

A ball over-the-top cut open the Costa Rican defence and Sergej was through on goal. However, the pass was difficult to bring down and was bobbing which meant his resulting shot lacked power, allowing Navas to come out and save.

Then the Lazio youngster was wrongly given offside after beating the trap to attempt a bicycle-kick at goal. Sergej didn't connect well but forced a good save from Navas, who had done well to get down low. If he had scored, VAR would have been there to overturn the offside decision.

Costa Rica then had a late chance to go into the break leading but Francisco Calvo's shot whistled past the post, ensuring there was nothing to separate the sides at half-time.

It seemed like the second 45 minutes was going to follow the first, with plenty of intent but a lack of individual quality, until Aleksandar Kolarov stepped up for Serbia.

The former Manchester City full-back made great use of a free-kick opportunity, curling a wonderful strike over the wall and into the top right corner of the net, leaving Navas with no hope of saving the effort.

The goal allowed Serbia to sit back more and sure up their defensive line, which Costa Rica found increasingly difficult to penetrate despite the lively introductions of Christian Bolanos and Joel Campbell.

As they pressed more bodies forward, 'Los Ticos' were more vulnerable on the counter and they would have gone two goals down if it wasn't for their Real Madrid goalkeeper.

Dusan Tadic fired a dangerous ball across goal which Navas got another important hand to steer clear from a poaching Filip Kostic, who otherwise would have had an easy tap-in.

Frustrations flared at the end between the two sides with Costa Rica desperate to recreate their sensational run during the 2014 World Cup.

However, they now face an uphill battle as Serbia held on to secure a 1-0 victory at the Cosmos Arena. It means 'Los Ticos' will need to get results against Brazil and Switzerland to have any hope of porgressing out of a tough Group E.