Mumbai: Costa Rica derailed Uruguayan train in their first game of the FIFA World Cup 2014. While many applauded their effort, it was pretty natural to think about it as a one-off game of underdogs outwitting the biggie.
But with their massive win over Italy, it would be naïve to take Costa Rica too lightly from here on. While the win has put them at the top spot in Group D, it has also ended England’s ultimately slim hopes of making the group of 16.
But Costa Rica is not the only team that has managed spoil the big team’s party and their fans hopes to witness their country’s victory march. Chile too scalped Spain to end the defending champions’ dream to retain the World Cup title. While Costa Rica’s win over Italy did not knock out Cesare Prandelli team out of the cup, Chile’s win ended La Roja’s aspirations to get back to Spain with another title.
Read: Five reasons why 'tiki-taka Spain failed to defend title
The upset losses or surprising wins are a story in itself. But along with it, they do pose some definite questions about ‘stronger domestic circuits produce better national teams’ idea.
Although national teams success can be independent of the club system that exists back home, if the same system often likes to take credit for all the opportunities (financial and otherwise), they must be ready to accept the blame for their national teams failing to win at the bigger stage.
This debate can go on for long. But right now, it is time to stand up and applaud the giant-killers Costa Rica and Chile for putting up against the bigwigs of the world football. They have taken huge strides to make it to the next round of ongoing World Cup.
More importantly though, it has once again highlighted how joyous it is to see the underdogs winning against the footballing bourgeois.
