It was Tiki-Taka versus Tico-Taka at the crowded Municipal Stadium of the Kingdom of Leon in Spain, and Tiki-Taka proved to be superior as the National Men’s Football of Spain won by a score of 2 – 1 against Costa Rica .

This international friendly match was highly awaited by fans of Costa Rica and Spain, particularly because it featured two athletes who are making sports headlines. We are talking about goalkeepers David de Gea of Spain and Keylor Navas of Costa Rica, who may become teammates at the Real Madrid or rivals in stellar European clubs. These two goalies are currently the hottest figures of the billionaire European transfer market.

The action arrived fast and early in the match. Costa Rica opened the scoreboard at just five minutes in the first half with an inside-the-box shot by the young striker Johan Venegas from Liga Deportiva Alajuelense. It was a surprising goal for the Spanish hosts, who retaliated with an organized midfield play that the Costa Rica back line tried to convert into the famous offside trap that was so effective during the 2014 FIFA World Cup; alas, this time the defenders were not lined up correctly, which resulted in Alcacer being able to advance completely unmarked to defeat Keylor Navas.

With a tied score, the team from Spain felt more comfortable moving their star players all over the pitch. Even though Costa Rica has returned to a five-man back line, defending against the likes of Spanish luminaries such as Fabregas and Carvajal proved very difficult. Specifically, Enrique Diaz, Jr. had a very hard time holding the Spanish attackers.

The second goal by Spain was prompted by a defensive error in trying to clear a cross that Fabregas was able to capitalize at the 30-minute mark. Meanwhile, strikers Venegas and Campbell waited for opportunities that never quite materialized for Costa Rica in the first half.

Early in the second half, Keylor Navas stopped a spectacular shot on goal by his Real Madrid teammate Sergio Ramos; this play, however, was highly debated since the Spanish star appeared to have been caught in the offside trap, which Costa Rica insisted upon. Spain, on the other hand, insisted upon deep attacks, which would have been goals were it not for excellent saves by Navas.

La Sele played better in the second half, but the offensive opportunities were few and far between. In the end, Costa Rica is aware that the team has yet to find the same rhythm and strategy that brought so much joy in the last World Cup. What is certain is that Keylor Navas is still one of the best goalkeepers in the world.