While the goalkeeper laughed off his bed-bug scare, he was quick to state that Uruguay will treat Costa Rica with the utmost seriousness in their opening World Cup clash

Uruguay goalkeeper Fernando Muslera was given an unwelcome scare on Thursday evening, when he found his bed had been invaded by a swarm of ants.

The Galatasaray goalkeeper tweeted about the incident, but in a press conference on Friday ahead of his nation’s World Cup opener against Costa Rica, he was quick to laugh off the night-time invasion.

“It was a comical situation because I found ants in my bed,” he said. “But nothing happened. People came, changed the bedsheets and we resolved it. I had a good night’s sleep.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s fixture, he was keen to stress that his side will be treating their Central American opponents with the utmost respect.

“It’s an extremely important match but we don’t believe that Costa Rica are weak – we have great respect for them. Obviously to win the first match is important. It gives confidence for the games ahead.

“We don’t feel like favourites. We know the first game is difficult. To have a good result takes a burden from shoulders. We feel fit and we’re well prepared.”

Uruguay finished third in 2010, and the shot-stopper believes his side can replicate such a success.

“We have experience from South Africa. Since then, we’ve made international achievements, we’ve grown a lot,” he stated. “We know we have the ability to go far. But we know we have tough rivals ahead. We have to be cool and calm. In Uruguay, there is an advert about humility and modestly, and that sums it up well.”

After facing Costa Rica on Saturday, Uruguay face England and Italy respectively in their other Group D encounters.