A period of true dominance for the Scots failed to materialise although they did force goalkeeper Luis Gabelo Conejo into a few good saves.
When Argentine referee Juan Carlos Loustau eventually blew the whistle the Costa Ricans knew they had achieved a result that would finally put their country on the map.
There was more still to come from them too. A brave performance and 1-0 defeat to Brazil was by no means a disgrace.
By the time the decisive match with Sweden came round, their previous two performances meant they were not viewed as such massive underdogs.
They duly racked up a 2-1 win and booked a surprise place in the next round.
Czechoslovakia had the measure of them there though, running out 4-1 victors.
But thanks to the self-belief garnered from the opening win over Scotland, the whole campaign could be viewed as a success for Milutinovic's men.