Costa Rica - 1, Turkey - 1 A late goal from Winston Parks earned Costa Rica the point they deserved against Turkey. The rangy substitute reacted quickest in a penalty-box scramble to drive home an equaliser which leaves the Costa Ricans needing a draw against Brazil, who have already qualified from Group C, in their last match to make sure of a place in the knock-out stage.

If they lose and Turkey beat China, everything will go down to goal difference.

"In the first half we played good football," said the Turkey coach, Senol Gunes, "and in the second half we scored a goal. But then we got tired and the Costa Ricans had lots of chances at the end. But we are confident we will beat China."

Alexandre Guimaraes, the Costa Rica coach, was predictably delighted with the late point. "The key factor was our character," he said. "Now we have four points we are in a good position. And every player dreams of playing Brazil once in his career.

"With four points we are in a good position and we are going to do our best to get at least another point so we can make the second round.

"We know we have worked very hard to get here and we are going to do the best we can."

In the nervy opening exchanges, Paulo Wanchope landed the first meaningful blow. Played into space by Wilmer Lopez's throughball, Wanchope stepped through a defence missing the suspended Alpay Ozalan and Hakan Unsal, but fired over.

Emre Belozoglu was impressive throughout, but despite his nimble footwork and sharp passing he found it difficult to inspire his team-mates past a well-organised Costa Rican defence. Indeed, the Internazionale midfielder had to make the breakthrough himself 11 minutes after the interval. Picking up the ball just outside the area, he drove past one insipid challenge before reclaiming his blocked shot and turning the ball home with his right foot.

But again the Turks could not hold on to their lead and they were shattered when Parks, who came on as a substitute nine minutes earlier, drilled home.

Parks believed the equaliser was just a matter of time in coming, even if he eventually put it down to divine intervention.

"We were always ready so we were able to get the goal," he said. "When I received the ball I felt very calm and because I believe in God I was able to score.

"Personally for me it was a great experience to score in a World Cup match and I dedicate it to my family and my girlfriend."

The Costa Ricans, cheered on by their colourful, drum-banging fans, went desperately close to winning the match in the final minute when Parks was clear on goal after a counter-attack only to find the side-netting from a sharp angle.

Turkey again closed a match in high drama when Emre almost ignited a sideline brawl when he chased to retrieve the ball that was sent into the Costa Rican dugout minutes later.

One of the Costa Rican coaching staff caught the ball and Emre shoved him to the ground in a rage to get the ball and quickly restart play.

Both squads began shoving each other in an ugly-looking incident, with the Benin referee, Coffi Codija, and his assistants struggling to maintain control. Codija booked Emre when order was restored.

In their opening game, Hakan Unsal, the Galatasaray left midfielder, and Aston Villa stopper Ozalan Alpay, were sent off in a furious finish against Brazil. The Brazilians enraged the Turks when they won with a disputed late penalty.

"We are back at the World Cup after 48 years and we scored the first goal against Brazil and we got our first point against Costa Rica and we are confident that we are going to beat China and wait for the right result for us and we can go through," Gunes.

Gunes replaced his skipper and star striker Hakan Sukur with 15 minutes left to get a fresh forward on to the field and took off his outstanding midfielder Yildiray Basturk with 11 minutes to go.

Guardian Service

SUBSTITUTES - Costa Rica: Bryce (for Wallace 77 mins), Parks (for Lopez 77 mins), Medford for Centeno 66 mins). Turkey: Erdem (for Kerimoglu 88 mins), Kahveci (for Basturk 79 mins), Mansiz (for Sukur 75 mins).

YELLOW CARDS - Costa Rica: Martinez 24, Castro 43 Turkey: Asik 20, Kerimoglu 45, Belozoglu 89.