Of all the ways to lose an Fifa Intercontinental World Cup playoff, this was undoubtedly the worst.
Even Peru's fate the night before in a penalty shootout would have possibly been better than this scenario.
Never has a New Zealand side played so well on the world stage and got so little, as they couldn't convert numerous chances, after Costa Rica's soft third minute goal to Joel Campbell, to lose 1-0.
They could have won; they probably should have won; they outclassed their opponents for long periods but ended up with nothing.
The All Whites were given no favours by the officials, with a first half Chris Wood goal controversially chalked off via a VAR intervention, while substitute Kosta Barbarouses was sent off within minutes of coming on (though that looked a correct decision).
Former All White Jacob Spoonley joined Sportstalk.
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