Poland have beaten Costa Rica 2-1 in their World Cup Group A match in Hanover on Tuesday.

Two goals from Boratosz Bosacki for Poland and an equalising goal from Ronald Gomez for Costa Rica in the first-half saw Poland seal a pride-restoring victory in a match that neither side could profit from.

The match saw a host of bookings from the referee, but a good attacking display from both sides, if somewhat messy at times.

The game, being played for pride as the two teams have no chance of qualifying for the last sixteen, started very slowly, with boos ringing out from the fans, who wanted to see some action.

Ronald Gomez scored the opener for Costa Rica from a free-kick in the 24th minute and Poland and Celtic keeper Artur Boruc got close to the ball, but it flew underneath his body as he dived to save.

Poland equalised ten minutes later after Maciej Zurawski's corner caused Costa Rica keeper Jose Porras to come flying out of his goal recklessly.

As it was cleared, Bosacki, who was only passed fit for this match earlier today, blasted it past Porras. There was a suggestion that the goal was to be ruled out, but the referee pointed to the centre-spot and the scores were level.

Both teams were now poutting on a show, with Ireneusz Jelen and Maciej Zurawski coming close for Poland and Ronald Gomez and Paolo Wanchope making some decent attacks on goal for Costa Rica.

Despite the efforts from both sides, the game went into half-time level at 1-1.

The second-half started as the first did, with both teams playing with no attacking intent, with half-chances on both sides but no support in the penalty area from either team for the decent runs the wingers were making.

But Poland got the breakthrough in the 66th minute when Boratosz Bosacki headed home his second goal of the game for Poland.

Jacek Krzynowek won a corner after testing Jose Porras with a cannoned shot. His curling corner found Bosacki, who neatly headed home after Paulo Wanchope failed to mark him.

The game was full of bitty play, being constantly halted for unnecessary free kicks by the referee Shamsul Maidin, who awarded eight yellow-cards in the first hour of the match alone.

Costa Rica were the more threatening side late in the second-half with Ronald Gomez and Paolo Wanchope having some decent chances, but Poland were content to sit on their lead.

Gomez was replaced by Carlos Hernandez in the last ten minutes of the match and minutes later Wanchope thought he had equalised when he broke through the Polish defence and chipped the ball over Boruc, heading the ball into the empty net, but the goal was waved offside by the linesman.

Carlos Hernandez had a golden opportunity to score from a free-kick in the last minute of normal-time, but he fluffed his shot completely and that was it for Costa Rica, who go out of the tournament without a single point.

Poland, on the other hand, secured a victory to save some pride and will be looking to do a lot better to qualify for the European Championships in 2008.