Costa Rica international Christian Bolanos has backed his nation to benefit from the heat in Brazil during their final two group encounters.

Having won their opening fixture against Uruguay 3-1, the Central American nation take on Italy on Friday, before rounding off that phase of the competition against England.

With their upcoming European opponents not used to such hot conditions, Bolanos believes that Costa Rica can "take advantage of the climate" to record positive results.

"We have to take advantage of the climate, as it's really hot here. We know the climate will be in favour of Costa Rica, and we have to take advantage of that," he told reporters.

"People from Europe would find this type of climate tough. For Costa Rica it is much more similar to what we are used to. The Europeans have to adapt a little bit more. It isn't a secret — it is extra to the football. You have to change some things a little bit because of that. We know that and we have to take advantage of that."

The forecast in Recife, where Costa Rica will come up against the Italians on Friday, is currently for a temperature of 27C.

Written by
Liam Apicella