Costa Rica: Porras, Marin, Umana, Bolanos (Saborio 78), Drummond (Wallace 70), Solis, Centeno, Gonzalez, Badilla, Gomez (Hernandez 82), Wanchope

Poland: Boruc, Bak, Bosacki, Baszczynski, Kryznowek, Symkowiak, Zewlakow, Smolarek (Rasiak 85), Zurawski (Brozek 46), Radomski (Lewandowski 64), Jelen

Both these sides had already booked their early flight home from Germany after losing their first two games, so there was only pride to play for on the day. Neutrals were hoping that this would lead the teams to open up and provide some carefree attacking football.

The game never really took off in the opening stages and some sporadic play by both teams hinted that this would not be a classic.

Ronald Gomez, who is certainly a contender for worst player at Germany 2006 tried an early free kick from 40 yards or so which inevitably didn't trouble the Polish keeper. How he thought he might score from 40 yards when he can't score from 4 beats me. Gomez then had a header loop over the bar while backing away from goal. He was, at least, trying.

The Polish side had not strung anything like a decent move together when Costa Rica took the lead after 24 minutes. That man Gomez again put himself forward to take the free kick from the edge of the box after Wanchope had been cynically blocked off.

This time Gomez hit the target, but Boruc's comedy attempt at a save more than contributed to the goal. Boruc's attempt to save with his feet, then subsequent fall was one our old friend Norman Wisdom (He's big in Eastern Europe) would have been proud of, and Gomez had his goal.

Gomez, now clearly thinking he was a World beater, seemed to think more goals in the offing. Put clean through by Wanchope on the half hour - Gomez this time produced the Wisdomesque football when unmarked in front of goal. You could almost hear him saying "Mr Grimsdale" as he hit the shot.

The comedy was not over for the day however. Poland equalised shortly after, when Costa Rica keeper Porras produced his own amusing cameo. Rushing headlong from goal he threw himself towards a Polish cross falling hopelessly short, allowing Bosacki to score with a neat volley. Not quite Wisdom, more like the baker in Sesame Street who used to fall down the steps each week with a differing number of cream cakes.

Can you tell that this game was not very interesting?

Another Polish attempt before half time ending in a shot by Jelin was the best bit of football played in the half, but it did not really have much competition.

Half Time: Costa Rica 1 Poland 1

The Polish manager had probably given his side a rocket at half time, and they emerged as more industrious in the second half, dominating the early possession. They looked the more likely winners.

Costa Rica however looked dangerous on the counter, and Wanchope as usual needed close attention. Kryznowek and Smolarek seemedto want the ball most and got involved in a lot of the Polish build up, but still, real quality was not very much in evidence.

The second, and winning goal for Poland was the game's quality moment. A Kryznowek strike had been well saved by Porras to give Poland a deserved corner. The resulting dead ball kick was attacked by Bosacki at the back post with a powerful header which rippled the net. A good goal and Bosacki's second of the game.

Some good possession by Poland and one or two counters by the Tico's brought this game to an end. Wanchope had the ball in the Polish net again, but was given offside, and Poland had the odd shot but generally there wasn't much else worth commenting on.

A pretty dire game to sit through for the neutral, and an indication as to why these two teams never looked like progressing from the group.

Full Time: Costa Rica 1 Poland 2

Costa Rica: Porras 4, Marin 6, Umana 6, Bolanos 5 (Saborio 6), Drummond 4(Wallace 4), Solis 5, Centeno 6, Gonzalez 5, Badilla 5, Gomez 4 (Hernandez 5), Wanchope 6

Poland: Boruc 3, Bak 5, Bosacki 7, Baszczynski 5, Kryznowek 6, Symkowiak 6, Zewlakow 5, Smolarek 6 (Rasiak 5), Zurawski 6(Brozek 5), Radomski 5 (Lewandowski 4), Jelen 6

Referee: s.Maidin (Singapore) 4. There was hardly anything to do really except book about 17 players. How did he manage to show so many cards?

Good: Both sets of fans turned out in numbers and seemed to really enjoy themselves. Still, if you've already forked out 300 Euros for a ticket...

Bad: The football.

Ugly: Sorry, we're not picking on him (honest) - but Ronald Gomez, again.