World Cup: Japan vs Costa Rica Odds & Recap
Second Day of Group E Play
âš½Japan vs Costa Rica: Game Recapâš½
Results: Japan 0-1 Costa Rica
After an embarrassing 0-7 loss, Costa Rica defied the odds and beat Japan 1-0 in their second game of Group E at the World Cup.
In a game that didn’t see many opportunities, the two sides went into the match knowing a win would do them favors for differing reasons. They would’ve qualified for the knockouts had Japan won, while Costa Rica knew three points would get them back in contention for making the Round of 16.
Japan seemed to be the more aggressive side on the attack, Costa Rica sat deep with a low block in a 5-4-1 formation, preventing the east Asian nation from any clear-cut opportunities.
Japan originally lined up in a 4-4-2 formation that was successful against Germany, with much of their threat coming from Yuki Soma down the left wing. However, while Japan seemed to be the more aggressive side on the attack, Costa Rica sat deep with a low block in a 5-4-1 formation, preventing the east Asian nation from any clear-cut opportunities.
Japan tried to respond in the second half by reverting to a 3-4-3 formation to deal with Costa Rica’s wing-backs but found themselves behind in the 81st minute when Keysher Fuller Spence curled home a tremendous effort into the top right-hand corner past goalkeeper Shuichi Gonda. Goalkeeper Kaylor Navas came to the rescue at the end after producing an incredible save with his feet to deny Daichi Kamada.
In the end, Costa Rica sealed three vital points to give them hope of qualifying from their group.
 Japan | – |   Costa Rica |
|---|---|---|
| 57% | Possession | 43% |
| 13 | Total Shots | 4 |
| 3 | Shots on Target | 1 |
| 3 | Shots Wide | 2 |
| 7 | Shots Blocked | 1 |
| 0 | Saves | 3 |
| 5 | Corners | 0 |
| 3 | Yellow Cards | 3 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 22 | Fouls | 9 |
| 0 | Offsides | 2 |
| 87% | Pass Accuracy | 80% |
| 11 | Dribbles | 7 |
| 13 | Crosses | 6 |
| 17 | Tackles | 25 |
How Did We Do?
Below you will find all the predictions we made before the matchup, on November 24, 2022.
One Foot in Knockout Stage for Impressive Japan
Japan and Costa Rica’s fortunes were diametrically opposed on Wednesday. Japan kicked off Group E play with an incredible come-from-behind 2-1 win over Germany. Meanwhile, Spain humiliated Costa Rica to the tune of seven unanswered goals. So, a demoralized Costa Rica will take on a confident Japan side in their second match of the World Cup. We’ll take a look at the latest Japan vs Costa Rica odds and preview the match.
Japan vs Costa Rica
Date, time (TV):
Location: Ahmed bin Ali Stadium, Al-Rayyan, Qatar
Streaming:FS1, Telemundo, Peacock
Team Standings and Odds:
| Team | FIFA World Ranking | World Cup Qualifying Record | Knockout Stage Odds | Odds to Win Group | Odds to Win World Cup |
| Japan | 24 | 7-1-2, 2nd AFC Group B | -455 | +350 | +10000 |
| Costa Rica | 31 | 8-4-3, 4th CONCACAF | +4000 | +15000 | +75000 |
| All Meetings: | Teams |
|---|---|
| Sep 2018: | Japan 3-0 Costa Rica |
| Jun 2014: | Costa Rica 1-3 Japan |
| Apr 2002: | Japan 1-1 Costa Rica |
| Aug 1995: | Japan 3-0 Costa Rica |
Japan have never lost to Costa Rica in four previous meetings. The most recent match between the two teams, in 2018, ended in a 3-0 Japan victory. Current Japan players Junya Ito and Takumi Minamino scored in the match and the third goal was a Costa Rica own goal. This is the first opportunity to bet on Japan vs Costa Rica odds in a competitive match.
Japan: Pull off Shocking Upset
Standings: 1-0, 2nd
Previous Match: W, 2-1 vs. Germany
Upcoming Match: Dec. 1 vs. Spain
One of the biggest moments in Japan’s match vs. Germany was a Kai Havertz goal getting called back for offside. It would have put Germany, who were dominant in the first half, 2-0 up. Instead, Japan stayed in the game and displayed incredible resilience. The Samurai Blue defended compactly and made the most of limited counter attacks. Japan’s Ritsu Doan leveled the match 75 minutes in. Shockingly, Takuma Asano blasted a shot into the roof of Manuel Neuer’s net just eight minutes later. Japan held on to get their first-ever win over Germany.
Pre-tournament, it looked like Japan’s chances to make it out of the group were slim. The betting odds for World Cup priced them at just +320 odds to advance. Oh, what a difference a game makes. They now sit at -455 odds to make it through and can potentially seal qualification with a win vs. Costa Rica. All it would take is for Spain to avoid defeat vs. Germany on Sunday.
Japan has surprising depth, as substitutes scored both of their goals. Takumi Minamino and Kaoru Mitoma are excellent options to have off the bench and could easily start. Versatile Arsenal defender Takehiro Tomiyasu also put in a great shift as a substitute. If Japan can continue to win and qualify for the last 16, it’ll be the first time in history they make consecutive World Cup knockout stages.
Costa Rica: Obliterated By Spain
Standings: 0-1, 4th
Previous Match: L, 7-0 vs. Spain
Upcoming Match: Dec. 1 vs. Germany
There are very few, if any, positive takeaways from Costa Rica’s 7-0 loss to Spain in their opening match. Costa Rica fell 3-0 behind at halftime, failed to stop the bleeding and couldn’t get anything going. The Ticos had just 18 percent possession and completed over 800 passes fewer than Spain. The loss matches Costa Rica’s worst-ever defeat and it’s their worst World Cup defeat.
Sometimes, experience isn’t enough and Costa Rica found that out on Wednesday. Seven of Costa Rica’s starting XI were 30 or older and they had no answer whatsoever for a Spanish team in the midst of a youth revolution. Goalkeeper Keylor Navas was Costa Rica’s star at the 2014 World Cup, where he conceded just two goals. Spain more than tripled that figure in one match.
The opening 2022 World Cup odds didn’t list Costa Rica as a serious contender to advance in the first place. Los Ticos entered with +900 odds to advance to the knockout stage and just +5000 odds to win the group. Now, those figures are priced at +4000 and +15000 odds, respectively. Despite their awful performance in the first match, even a draw won’t eliminate Costa Rica just yet.
Match Analysis and Odds:
The Japan vs Costa Rica odds have dramatically shifted since they opened. Oddsmakers and bettors alike are reacting to their first match performances. Japan opened up, and remain one-goal favorites, but their odds to cover have improved from +110 to -145. After their record-breaking loss to Spain, Costa Rica moved from -130 ATS odds to +125.
The Ticos have gone from +475 to +750 odds to win and a draw is listed at +325 odds
Japan’s moneyline odds opened up at -160 but they’re now -235 favorites. Japan will be well on their way to the quarterfinal goal coach Hajime Moriyasu set at the beginning of the tournament. The Ticos have gone from +475 to +750 odds to win and a draw is listed at +325 odds, down from +270. When Germany vs. Japan opened up in the second half, Japan seemed more than comfortable with the up and down nature of the game. It’s highly doubtful an aging Costa Rican team will be able to keep up if this turns into a track meet.
Still, Costa Rica’s inability to string together passes vs. Spain doesn’t exactly inspire confidence. So, punters are expecting Japan to have a bunch of chances. The Samurai Blue show -145 odds to score two or more goals. The over/under total for the match is 2½ and the under is implied to be more likely, at -125 odds. Expect both teams to be highly motivated for this match, albeit for different reasons.
