Spain vs. Costa Rica

Costa Rica may have barely qualified for this competition but they're playing great on a 10-1-2 run. Coach Luis Suárez has managed six Latin American countries in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Honduras, Mexico, and now Costa Rica. He's managed two other World Cup teams having also led Ecuador and Honduras. And he was rewarded with a new contract after a 1-0 win over New Zealand in the intercontinental playoffs in June's World Cup Qualification. Spain has split its last three home games (1-1-1), losing 2-1 to Switzerland while tying Portugal (1-1). For this game, left-back Jose Gaya is out (ankle injury) with 19-year-old Alejandro Balde as his replacement. Balde, a late call-up, has never been capped by Spain at the senior level. Spain struggled in its last World Cup, winning just once in four matches, with deadlocks against Portugal (3-3), Morocco (2-2), and Russia (1-1). Play Spain/Costa Rica to DRAW.