World Cup 2018: Brazil vs Costa Rica, 5 players to watch out for

FBL-WC-2018-FANS
Brazil take on Costa Rica at Saint-Petersburg stadium today

#2 Bryan Ruiz

Costa Rica v Serbia : Group E - 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia
A lot will depend on Costa Rican Captain against Brazil

He is the leader of the pack, the captain of Costa Rican ship.

Ruiz, known for his meticulous passing, will offer the supply line in Costa Rican midfield and his link-up play with striker Marco Urena will be crucial against the samba boys.

The 32-year-old has plenty of big game experience for his country, having also captained them in the last edition of World Cup in Brazil four years ago.

It was his winner against Italy that took Los Ticos through to round-of-16. He then scored a goal against Greece before netting a shoot-out penalty as they qualified for the quarter-finals for the first time in history.

Ruiz kept things ticking in the midfield in the first half against Serbia last Sunday but was quite intimidated by Nemanja Matic thereafter. He would face a similar sort of challenge from the likes of Casemiro and Paulinho and he needs to up his game if Oscar Ramirez’s men are to salvage something out of the match.

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