By Sportswriter Paul Giblin

SAMARA, Russia, June 17 (Xinhua) -- An Aleksander Kolarov free kick 10 minutes into the second half gave Serbia a well-deserved 1-0 win against Costa Rica in their Group E opener here on Sunday afternoon.

Serbia might have scored more but for a series of saves from Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas, who produced excellent stops to twice frustrate target man Aleksander Mitrovic.

Navas also denied Filip Kostic a simple chance to make it 2-0 when he got a touch on a cross that looked destined for the Serbian midfielder.

Costa Rica disappointed after reaching the quarterfinals in 2014 and failed to create chances against a stubborn Serbia defense well marshalled by Branislav Ivanovic, who was making a record-breaking 105th appearance for his country.