Uruguay secured its place at the 2010 World Cup with a hard fought  win over Costa Rica as tempers boiled over in tempestuous conditions in the second leg in Montevideo.

Leading 1-0 from the first leg, La Celeste seemed in two minds as to how to approach the game. Eager to kill the tie off but nervous of conceding an away goal, they looked very cautious in the opening exchanges.

Costa Rica could have taken the lead after just eight minutes when a fine strike from Victor Nunez from about 25 yards sailed just wide of the Uruguay goal with Nestor Muslera well beaten.

The visitors needed a goal and as they probed Uruguay found holes in their defense and a surging run from Nicolas Lodeiro almost created the opening midway through the half. His ball found Luis Suarez but the Ajax hitman blasted wide.

The Costa Ricans had dealt well with the threat of Diego Forlan and Suarez up front, crowding them out and defending in numbers to keep the hosts at bay.

Christian Bolanos then had a chance just after the half hour mark but Muslera was equal to it and tipped it over the bar for a corner.

It remained scoreless at the break, although Diego Perez had flashed an excellent effort wide with a smashing volley from fully 30 yards which would have virtually secured Uruguay’s spot at the finals in South Africa next summer.

Villarreal midfielder Sebastian Eguren went close with a header shortly after the interval but still the all-important goal eluded the hosts, keeping Costa Rica in it.

Oscar Washington Tabarez introduced Sebastian Abreu for Luis Suarez midway through the second half as the home side looked for a fresh attacking dimension. In truth Suarez had a relatively quiet night and was well marshalled by the Costa Rican rearguard and the substitution paid off within minutes as Abreu nodded home from just outside the six yard box to send the Estadio Centenario into raptures.

That joy turned to nervous tension just five minutes later as the visitors grabbed an equalizer when 35-year-old Walter Centeno fired home after good work from Alvaro Saborio.

With just ten minutes left on the clock a brawl broke out between the opposing dugouts which resulted in the game being stopped in chaotic scenes in Montevideo.

Then with just three minutes remaining Uruguayan nerves were tested once again as Saborio charged into the penalty area but to the relief of the home support he flashed his shot wide of Muslera’s goal.

In stoppage time Keylor Navas produced a wonderful save to keep Costa Rica’s feint hopes alive but it wasn’t to be as time ran out for the plucky visitors.

The two time champions return to the World Cup finals and were worthy winners over the two legs but were made to work hard for it, especially in the second half of this leg.

Source: Goal.com