Sergej Milinkovic-Savic shows vivid flashes of talent in our Costa Rica v Serbia talking points

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This summer’s enduring transfer saga gained fresh life at Samara Arena.

Emerging Serbia starlet Milinkovic-Savic, labelled “Mr 100 million” by Gazzetta dello Sport after supreme exploits at Lazio in 2017/18, was granted his chance to sparkle on the global stage by head coach Mladen Krstajic. Some turnaround after not being granted a minute’s action in qualifying, a decision of harmful consequence for predecessor Slavoljub Muslin.

This is a player of which much has been staked by club and country.

His employers will demand a nine-figure sum if they are to sell in the coming months – and a stellar spell in Russia will only increase demand. Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester United are most frequently linked to his coveted signature.

At national level, Muslin gained Serbia their first entry to any major tournament since 2010. But he was dismissed in October after declining to grant opportunities to the generation that claimed 2015’s FIFA Under-20 World Cup.

The 23-year-old wonder boy was moved to centre stage by his nation on Sunday, who declined to repeat his productive deployment on the left-hand side of midfield for Lazio that produced an outstanding 12 goals and three assists in 35 Serie A run-outs.

Backed up by commanding Manchester United anchorman Nemanja Matic and Crystal Palace’s Luka Milivojevic, permission to break into long stride was granted.

Milinkovic-Savic responded with a leading three key passes for Serbia, plus a joint high of four aerials and second-most dribbles with four. The only worry would be a pass accuracy of just 65.8 per cent – his nation’s eighth worst among the starters.

The first half saw an impressive take in mid-air, followed by a weak low shot on the stretch at Navas. Just before the interval, a flamboyant bicycle kick was athletically repelled by the goalkeeper.

Both of these incidents were flagged offside. But they left positive impressions on watching scouts, as would his later delicate one-time pass to prolific Fulham loanee Mitrovic that should have produced the breakthrough.

CLOSE CALL FOR COSTA RICA

A granite edge emerges for Costa Rica when the real action begins.

Propitious signs were in short supply for 2014’s surprise package when a pair of warm-up matches against England and Belgium were lost to a combined score of 6-1.

This narrow, but damaging, set back in Russia means that a repeat of their run to top spot ahead of England, Italy and Uruguay in the previous edition is a firm impossibility.

So now is a second run into the quarter-finals. Favourites Brazil are up next on Friday.

But a defence that conceded just eight times during the final stage of CONCACAF qualifying – a record table-topping Mexico only bettered by one – again stood firm. Mitrovic’s poor effort in the 50^th minute was the only time Serbia truly got behind them, despite boasting 53 per cent possession.

Experienced heads – this XI was the oldest ever named by the Islanders at the tournament – given fresh faith by boss Oscar Ramirez tried to do their bit.

Los Angeles FC forward Marco Urena flashed one promising effort wide, while Saprissa winger Johan Venegas got into a number of promising positions without delivering. Arsenal-owned Joel Campbell is only 25-years old, but started on the bench after a season of inactivity at Real Betis.

Time is again now closing in on these players.

KOLAROV’S RENAISSANCE CONTINUES

A change of scenery has worked wonders for Kolarov.

Last summer’s escape from the sidelines at Manchester City saw him revitalised at Roma. The Eternal City must do something for the rampaging ex-Lazio employee.

At 32-years old, he was unquestionably Serie A’s best left-back. A return of eight assists and three goals from 35 appearances in that competition for the third-placed finishers was an excellent return on their £4.5m (Dh22m) investment.

Throughout his time in and out of the City team, Kolarov remained a key man for his country.

This astonishing free-kick from nearly 30 yards helped justify Krstajic’s decision to strip Zenit Saint Petersburg stalwart Branislav Ivanovic of the captaincy.