WORLD CUP ’90 : Costa Ricans Come From Behind to Move Ahead : Group C: They reach second round in first appearance and become first team in 1990 Cup to rally for a victory. Sweden loses its third in a row, 2-1.
Taking inspiration from their Latin American compatriots from Colombia, the Costa Ricans sprang another surprise on the World Cup.
In its first appearance at this level, Costa Rica made the second round of the World Cup Wednesday night with a 2-1 victory over Sweden. It was the first time a team came from behind to win a game in the 1990 tournament.
“Our coach told us that losing, 1-0, did not mean that everything was lost,” said Roger Flores, who tied the game in the 75th minute. “He reminded us that Colombia had scored in the final minute the day before” to tie West Germany.
Ten minutes after Flores tied it, Hernan Medford won the game on a breakaway and gave Costa Rica second place in Group C, behind Brazil. The Costa Ricans, who finished just ahead of the United States in zone qualifying, play Czechoslovakia in the next round.
“Costa Ricans can rest assured we will do as well in the second round,” Coach Bora Milutinovic said. “That is our promise.”
Disappointing Sweden, regarded as the best team other than Brazil in the group when the tournament began, lost all three games.
Johnny Ekstroem scored on a rebound of a free kick by Stefan Schwarz to give Sweden a lead for the first time in this World Cup.
Costa Rica’s tying goal was set up when Schwarz drew a yellow card for pulling down Medford as he broke toward the goal. Juan Cayasso launched a perfect free kick and Flores headed it past goalie Thomas Ravelli.
“In the second half, the coach ordered us to put more pressure, to try to win space from the Swedes, and that’s what we did,” said Flores, the team captain.
That set the stage for Medford. The substitute forward caught the Swedish defense napping, broke free just beyond midfield and beat Ravelli to win the game.
“We must take responsibility for a player in that area of the field,” Sweden Coach Olle Nordin said. “I can’t tell you which defender was caught unaware, but it should not happen that way.”
Medford energized what had been a dormant Costa Rican offense when he came on in the 60th minute.
Sweden’s goal in the first half came despite a dazzling performance in the net by Luis Conejo. Before the goal, Conejo stopped four solid scoring chances, twice diving to save hard shots and once blocking a line-drive header. He made another diving save in the 32nd minute, when Schwarz unleashed his free kick. But he couldn’t control the rebound and Ekstroem was in perfect position to put it in.
