Former Everton and current Sunderland defender Bryan Oviedo impressed as Costa Rica ran Brazil close in St Petersburg on Friday.
Brazil’s class shone through, belatedly.
It seemed as if the pre-tournament favourites were set to be left frustrated again with a determined Costa Rica side hanging on for dear life in the World Cup second group stage at the Krestovksy Stadium in St Petersburg.
Until Philippe Coutinho ended the underdogs’ brave resistance in stoppage time, however. And then Neymar netted a second minutes later. Costa Rica might have been defeated, going down 2-0 in the end, but they deserve credit for a display of real character – perhaps summed up best by Bryan Oviedo.
Four years after he missed Costa Rica’s stunning march to the quarter finals with a horribly timed broken ankle, Oviedo has seized his chance to impress in Russia. The 28-year-old’s dogged display certainly caught the eye of the Everton fans who cheered him on at Goodison Park between 2012 and 2017.
The current Sunderland man was never the most gifted player but you could never doubt his commitment to the cause. And Everton fans were thrilled to see him perform on the world stage.
Oviedo’s future at club level, however, remains uncertain with his wages likely to prove too costly for a Sunderland side now in League One. Performances like this, however, should have clubs queuing up to offer him a good home.
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