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Costa Rica didn't look great at the CONCACAF U-20 Championship and hasn't looked great at the 2017 Men's U-20 World Cup either. Conversely, Zambia is the 2017 AFCON U-20 champion and has been playing like a champion in its opening games of this tournament.
For Costa Rica to have a chance in this match, one feels it not only needs to play better, but Zambia needs to start playing a lot worse. It seems an unlikely combination of events.
Still, Los Ticos can hope that the Zambia of the first 50 minutes or so of the team's game against Iran is the one that turns up for this game. That side couldn't shoot straight and let Iran in for two goals.
If the Zambia that put four past Iran inside 20 minutes turns up - well, it could be a long 90 minutes for Costa Rica.
It's win or go home for Los Ticos: even a draw isn't likely to save them from elimination, since two points almost certainly won't see a team through to the knockout rounds as a lucky loser. And even a win still leaves Costa Rica hoping for other results to go its way. But the team can't afford to worry about tie-breakers: it needs three points just to have the privilege of doubt over its future in the tournament. Anything less brings the certainty of an early exit.
For Zambia, a win or draw would clinch top spot in the group. Even losing might have no impact on its place in the group - only Iran can challenge the Zambians' place in Group C, and to do so required a win over Portugal.
Expect Zambia to go for the win because the runner-up in this group will play South Korea in the round of 16: avoiding the home team in this tournament would be prudent for any side with ambitions of making a run to the final.
Current standings in Group C:
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
| 1 | Zambia | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | +3 | 6 |
| 2 | Iran | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | -1 | 3 |
| 3 | Portugal | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | -1 | 1 |
| 4 | Costa Rica | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 1 |
Per livesoccertv.com, here's where to find the game if watching from the USA: