FIFA World Cup 2014 Highlights: Group D Underdogs Costa Rica Through to Last Sixteen After Recording Shock Win Over Italy [Photos and Video]

Group D underdogs Costa Rica progressed to the round of sixteen of the 2014 World Cup after registering a shock 1-0 victory over 2006 Champions Italy.

Bryan Ruiz's header towards the end of the first half proved enough as Italy were unable to find an equaliser and help avoid England's premature elimination from the 2014 World Cup.

Fuelled by their opening day victory against Uruguay, Costa Rica created the first chance in the 7^th minute when Christian Bolanos's corner was just narrowly headed over by Celso Borges.

At the other end, Thiago Motta hada good chance to fire his side into the lead when the ball broke kindly to him outside the box. However, he could not keep his composure and his shot flew wide of the target.

At the half hour mark Italy got their biggest chance of the game when a long ball from Andrea Pirlo went over the Costa Rican defence towards Mario Balotelli, who did brilliantly to control the ball. The AC Milan striker tired to chip the ball over an onrushing Keylor Navas but his effort was wide of the target.

Moments later, Balotelli got another chance after getting a good ball from Motta. However, his well struck effort from the edge of the box was parried away by Navas.

At the 43^rd minute, Costa Rica started appealing for a penalty after Joel Campbell was brought down by Giorgio Chiellini inside the box. However, the referees waved away the protests even though replays suggested that it was a penalty.

With only a minute remaining in the first half, the Central American side finally broke the deadlock through Bryan Ruiz. Junior Diaz whipped the ball towards the back post and Ruiz rose above everyone else before heading the ball in off the underside of the bar.

There was more urgency in the Azzurri's game in the second half as they began searching for an equaliser.

Matteo Darmian tested Navas with a long range effort and the latter was forced to tip the defender's shot over the crossbar in the 51^st minute.

A couple of minutes Pirlo tested Navas with one of his trademark free-kicks but the Costa Rica goalkeeper again rose to the occasion as he managed to keep out the classy Italian's effort.

Costa Rica almost doubled their lead in stoppage time after Randall Brenes, taking advantage of Italy's desperate attempts to find the leveller, found himself in a very good position outside the box. However, he could not keep his cool as he curled the ball over the crossbar.

Check out the full highlights of the game below: