13 Things from a Year in Football

Costa Rica become everyone’s favourite other country

We all love an underdog story, don’t we? Well, Costa Rica had one of the best ones during the World Cup in the summer. Widely tipped as also-rans, they were expected to come bottom in a group that also contained England, Uruguay and Italy. But instead of cowering at the giants that lay before them, Costa Rica had other ideas and went on to win the group, undefeated might I add. Then they went on to beat Greece in the Round of 16 and came so close to an upset against the Netherlands in the Quarter Final only to put out on penalties. It was a great run by a small nation who certainly captured our hearts. They are the modern, football equivalent of Cool Runnings.

Costa Rica. All round good guys!