Aleksandar Kolarov (C) of Serbia competes during a group E match between Costa Rica and Serbia at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Samara, Russia, June 17, 2018. Serbia won 1-0. (Xinhua/Fei Maohua)
By Sportswriter Paul Giblin
SAMARA, Russia, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Aleksandar Kolarov scored a magnificent free kick to get Serbia's World Cup campaign off to a winning start against Costa Rica, in a game the Serbs dominated and would have won by more goals but for another excellent display from Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Skipper Kolarov left even the impressive Navas helpless with his 56th minute strike and Costa Rica never looked likely to get back on level terms, with the Serbian defense holding firm.
Defender Branislav Ivanovic became his country's most capped player with 105 appearances, but he and his fellow defenders had little to do as Serbia enjoyed the majority of possession in the first half.
However, the Eagles created few clear-cut chances, though Aleksandar Mitrovic should have done better with a close-range effort comfortably saved by Navas.
Costa Rica struggled to get out of their own half until just before the break when Marco Urena fired over the bar and Francisco Calvo sent a right-foot effort wide of the post to end what was generally a drab first 45 minutes.
The Serbs began the second half in positive mood and only a fine save from Navas denied Mitrovic after the big striker had been put clean through on goal by Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.
However, even Navas was unable to keep out Kolarov's free kick in the 56th minute as the Roma left back curled the ball over the defensive wall and into the corner past Navas's left hand, with the Costa Rican keeper at full stretch.
Los Ticos failed to react to the strike and Navas saved another certain goal when he did just enough to deflect a cross from Tadic away from Felip Kostic who would have had a tap in.
The game ended with VAR being used deep into eight minutes of injury time when referee Malang Diedhiou decided Serbia striker Aleksandar Prijovic only deserved a yellow card and not a red after catching Johnny Acosta in the face with a trailing arm.
