Uruguay vs. Costa Rica: Score and Report from International Friendly

Luis Suarez scored in the second half, but Uruguay lost to Costa Rica in a penalty shootout following a 3-3 draw in a thrilling international friendly Thursday evening at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, Uruguay.

Suarez slammed in a high finish in the 50th minute, pulling Uruguay level after Alvaro Saborio had given Costa Rica a surprising lead three minutes before the break. Bryan Ruiz restored the Ticos' advantage moments after Suarez's goal, but Uruguay turned the match around with quick strikes from Jose Gimenez and Edinson Cavani in a three-minute span.

With the hosts seemingly on course for victory, Costa Rica scored a stoppage-time equaliser via Johan Venegas. The Ticos won the shootout 7-6.

Suarez, whose international ban does not apply to friendly matches, started in the forward line alongside Cavani and played 90 minutes before the match went straight to penalties. The Barcelona man also scored in the shootout.

Thursday's game was a rematch from last summer's World Cup group stage, when Costa Rica claimed a shocking 3-1 victory in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Matilde Campodonico/Associated Press

Following a combative start to the match, Uruguay settled first and created the better chances in the opening stages.

Suarez tried his luck from distance in the 13th minute, but his shot was deflected out. From the ensuing corner, Carlos Sanchez headed off target. Two minutes later, Suarez and Cavani linked up before Cavani shot straight at Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who saved easily.

Uruguay came close again in the 28th minute, when Suarez had a free-kick deflected off the wall and off target. Five minutes later, Diego Godin's downward header bounced up onto the underside of the crossbar before Navas collected.

Costa Rica's first chance came in the 37th minute as Bryan Ruiz set up Saborio with a through ball. Saborio placed his shot on target, but Fernando Muslera saved.

The visitors then took the lead three minutes before half-time, against the run of play. Joel Campbell led a counter for the Ticos, playing the ball out to Ruiz on the left. Ruiz crossed back into the middle, where Saboria sent a looping header past Muslera for the game's opening goal.

After producing just the single goal in the opening 45 minutes, the match came to life early in the second half. Suarez drew Uruguay level in the 50th minute with an emphatic finish from the centre of the box after Cristian Rodriguez pulled back a pass from the byline.

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Video: Goal Suarez (URU 1-1 CRC) http://t.co/4h2iJcmdjg [via @taterthots_]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) November 14, 2014"

But Suarez wasn't able to celebrate the end of his goal drought for long. Within moments, Costa Rica retook the lead.

In the 51st minute, Ruiz curled in a fine finish from the edge of the box after Campbell crossed from the left. Saborio contributed as well, freezing a defender by allowing the ball to run through his legs to the waiting Ruiz.

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Golazo de Bryan Ruiz #Uruguay 1 #CostaRica 2 @aldiacr https://t.co/xt2mveKrpN

— Steven Oviedo (@StevenO23) November 14, 2014"

Uruguay should have equalised a second time in the 59th minute, but Cavani conspired to miss from close range after good work from Suarez along the byline.

It was a momentary let-off for Costa Rica, though. In the 64th minute, Gimenez pulled the hosts level once again. The chance started with Sanchez lofting a free-kick into the box, where Costa Rica failed to clear properly. With the ball floating free at the back post, Gimenez headed in to make the score 2-2.

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Gol de José Giménez (Uruguay) vs Costa Rica (2-2): https://t.co/1Rwvt7zNGG Vía @ESPN_JorgeRamos

— Superchip (@SuperChip_) November 14, 2014"

Three minutes later, Uruguay took their first lead—with Cavani finally finding the net. The PSG man started the move himself with a pass to Sanchez, who clipped the ball into a dangerous position. Having continued his run, Cavani finished with a strong header past Navas to give Uruguay a 3-2 advantage.

At the other end, Saborio headed over the bar in the 74th minute as Costa Rica searched for a quick reply. Costa Rica came close again nine minutes later, Muslera leaping to save Junior Diaz's long-distance effort.

Uruguay had a chance to seal the win in the 86th minute, but Suarez curled a shot narrowly wide of the far corner after being set up by a pass from Gimenez.

The miss proved costly, as Costa Rica found a late equaliser in stoppage time. Again Uruguay paid for poor defending as Saborio chested an errant defensive header into the path of Venegas, who swept in for the game's final goal.

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GOLAZOOOO! Empata Costa Rica con Johan Venegas 3-3 http://t.co/Ia5HPYZ2qy

— Sports.byCampbell (@SBycampbell) November 14, 2014"

Uruguay managed to take a 2-0 lead in the shootout, but Costa Rica came back emphatically, Cristian Gamboa converting the winning penalty.