Iraq vs Costa Rica

World Cup participants Costa Rica head to the Basra Sport City Stadium to take on Asian underachievers Iraq in their first international meeting.

Iraq’s ill-fated 2022 World Cup qualifying campaign kept them out of the most prestigious international competition for the ninth tournament running. Given their lacklustre showings across their four post-qualifying internationals (W1, D3, L1), it’s no big surprise that they come into proceedings as outsiders. A lack of firepower upfront has seen Iraq draw a blank in three consecutive matches leading to this fixture, with Jesus Casas’ side netting a measly nine goals in ten games this calendar year, 33% of which came in a 3-1 humbling of Zambia back in March. Playing at home should offer a helping hand because the ‘Lions of Mesopotamia’ have found the back of the net in each of their last five home outings (W3, D2).

Meanwhile, Costa Rica’s third consecutive foray into the World Cup finals for the first time in the nation’s history is already a standout achievement, but they’ll be keen to prove they’re no pushovers. Stuck in a highly competitive group with Germany, Spain, and Japan, the North American minnows want to gather as much momentum as possible after going unbeaten in their last five internationals (W4, D1). In fact, Luis Fernando Suarez’s men have avoided defeat in 11 of their 12 matches this calendar year (W9, D2), including victories over more heavily fancied rivals such as Canada and the United States. But ‘Los Ticos’ have experienced mixed fortunes across their last three games on foreign soil (W1, D1, L1), two of which saw 3+ goals and both teams scoring.