Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto hailed his team's successful defence of a slim lead "perfect" after the Ticos defeated Italy 1-0 on Friday.
Bryan Ruiz's header gave his side the lead just before halftime, and Costa Rica neutralised some meagre challenges from Italy to guarantee qualification for the knockout stage from Group D.
"It has been a very good match," Pinto said. "The goal arrived just in the right moment and I feel that we have deserved this result.
"We have played a historic team. Our team and country feels proud. We want to go farther and I hope we will keep playing well because it will be positive for our team and our country.
"I was thanking God for this possibility after the game. It's not easy to play Italy and I think our defense was perfect."
"We have to enjoy the moment. My players have given everything."
Costa Rica had 42 percent of possession, but limited Italy's passes in the attacking third to just 36 percent. Andrea Pirlo, who was perfect on 12 passes in the attacking third in the Azzurri's opening win against England, completed just one of four against the Ticos.
"I don't know how much possession we had, but Italy is a very experienced team," Pinto said. "We tried and I thought we did very well. We have been working on training this over the last few months."
Given long odds simply to advance from a group with three former world champions, Costa Rica now look as if they could top it, with six points after wins against Uruguay and Italy.
Now a draw against England, or even a narrow defeat, will see the Ticos move on as group winners. Pinto, however, expressed caution.
"We will try to be first in our group," Pinto said. "But it's not going to be easy because England will still want to win, but we want to be first and for us, that is the best position.
"We want to go farther in this competition, but we have to keep calm."