Joel Campbell's third-minute goal gave Costa Rica a 1-0 lead and that is how the match at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan in Qatar finished, but not before plenty of New Zealand chances.

The All Whites had 15 shots compared to Costa Rica's three, but were left to rue missed chances, the saves of Keylor Navas and a video assistant referee (VAR) decision to rule out a Chris Wood goal.

Campbell had given Costa Rica the dream start, sweeping the ball into the bottom corner following a flowing move.

It was to prove a high point for Los Ticos as New Zealand quickly grew into the ascendency.

Talisman Wood thought he had scored a deserved equaliser on the stroke of the break, reacting first to convert a deflected cross, but a VAR review spotted an offence by a New Zealand player earlier in the move.

The VAR came back to haunt New Zealand in the second half when the system was used to send off Kosta Barbarouses for a nasty lunge.

New Zealand dictated the play even once down to 10 men, but could not find an equaliser.

Costa Rica go into Group E alongside Germany, Spain and Japan.

It will be their third straight appearance at the World Cup, having made a group-stage exit at Russia 2018 and reached the last eight at Brazil 2014.