Aleksandar Kolarov stunner gives Serbia win over Costa Rica

A brilliant free-kick from captain Aleksandar Kolarov saw Serbia beat Costa Rica 1-0 in their World Cup Group E opener in Samara.

The scoreline hardly reflected Serbia’s dominance against 2014’s surprise quarter-finalists, though it was Costa Rica who went closest in the first half. Giancarlo Gonzalez could only send his free header over the bar, however.

Serbia looked more threatening after the break and after Aleksandar Mitrovic was denied by Keylor Navas, the Real Madrid goalkeeper was powerless to prevent Kolarov’s free-kick from nestling in at the near corner.

It was too late by the time Costa Rica finally took the game to Serbia, and after a couple of VAR checks took us to the 98th minute, the final whistle was blown to hand Mladen Krstajic’s side a jump start ahead of Brazil v Switzerland on Sunday evening.

Serbia look a threat…from every angle. Branislav Ivanovic and Dusan Tadic down the right. Aleksandar Kolarov and Adem Ljajic down the left. Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Aleksandar Mitrovic through the middle. This Serbia side look dangerous no matter where they attack from. And all the while they have Nemanja Matic and Luka Milivojevic holding in midfield. It was by no means a perfect performance, but if they find their groove in the final third, they will be difficult to stop. Serbia have a crunch game next against Switzerland on June 22 – that, should be a fascinating encounter.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (Serbia): Lazio’s asking price just went up £10m. The 23-year-old midfielder has found himself linked with Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United in the past 12 months, and he certainly made the most of his first opportunity to shine on the world stage. Almost everything went through Milinkovic-Savic when Serbia attacked, and from acrobatic attempts to inch-perfect passes over the top, he looked a cut above in Samara.

Serbia: Stojkovic 6, Ivanovic 6, Tosic 7, Milenkovic 7, Kolarov 7, Milinkovic-Savic 8, Milivojevic 7, Matic 7, Ljajic 7, Tadic 7, Mitrovic 7. Subs: Kostic 6, Rukavina 6, Prijovic 6.

Costa Rica: Navas 6, Acosta 6, Gonzalez 6, Duarte 7, Borges 6, Calvo 7, Gamboa 6, Guzman 6, Ruiz 5, Venegas 5, Urena 5. Subs: Bolanos 6, Campbell 6, Colindres 6.

12’ - OVER! Costa Rica play another short corner, but Guzman gets the cross in this time and Gonzalez gets his back-post header all wrong. Perhaps mistimed the jump as it flies well over the bar.

43’ - JUST WIDE! It's a smart run from Calvo out wide as he carries the ball along the 18-yard line, but he drags his effort wide of the near post with his weaker (right) foot.

44’ - WHAT AN EFFORT! Pure technique from Milinkovic-Savic as he meets a cross with an overhead kick. Navas gets down to his right to keep it out with a good save.... The offside flag went up in fact, but: A. Neither Milinkovic-Savic or Navas were to know, and B. It wasn't actually offside!

51’ - HUGE SAVE! Milinkovic-Savic plays a fine ball over the top and Mitrovic is through on goal, one-on-one with Navas, but he cannot squeeze his effort past the Real Madrid goalkeeper, who makes a vital stop to deny the forward.

56’ GOAL! Costa Rica 0-1 Serbia. What a fine free-kick from Kolarov! One of the dead-ball specialists has produced another stunner. Navas has no chance as the Roma left-back curls it in at the near post.

77’ - CHANCE! Tadic's cross evades Navas, and it somewhat surprises Kostic inside the six-yard box as it ricochets off his shin and away from goal. Replays show Navas gets a vital touch onto it to put Kostic off!