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World Cup 2018 power rankings

By James Dudko

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images)
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL - JULY 13: Per Mertesacker of Germany holds the trophy a loft during the 2014 World Cup final match between Germany and Argentina at The Maracana Stadium on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /
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Real Madrid’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas warms up before the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 12, 2018. (Photo by Benjamin CREMEL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/Getty Images)
Real Madrid’s Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas warms up before the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid and Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid on May 12, 2018. (Photo by Benjamin CREMEL / AFP) (Photo credit should read BENJAMIN CREMEL/AFP/Getty Images) /

26. Costa Rica

Costa Rica were good enough to reach the last eight four years ago. The same group that pushed the Netherlands to penalties in the quarterfinal in Brazil is still largely intact.

It means familiar faces such as Real Madrid goalkeeper Keylor Navas and Arsenal winger Joel Campbell will again be features of the squad. Navas will have the support of raiding full-back Bryan Oviedo defensively, while creative forward Bryan Ruiz will assist Campbell in the final third.

What is missing from this group is guile in midfield. Deportivo’s Celso Borges may struggle to provide it, as will MLS star David Guzman.

Without the right supply, Costa Rica will need to play a direct game based on bypassing midfield and getting the ball to Campbell and Ruiz quickly.  The approach is unlikely to be enough to overcome Brazil, Serbia or even Switzerland in Group E.

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