With the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, Sergej Milinkovic-Savic and Dusan Tadic in attack, the 32-year-old Serbia captain was the unlikely scorer - available at 18/1 to net first in pre-match betting.
It was an individual moment of quality which came just before the hour mark, giving the Eagles a deserved three points after a comfortable showing against the South Americans.
Costa Rica, who reached the quarter-finals in Brazil four years ago, paid the price for failing to make the most of some good chances in the first half.
Their frustrations spilled over in injury time as some members of their coaching staff became involved in heated exchanges with Serbia's Nemanja Matic over a throw-in on the touchline.
Odds correct as of 1500 BST 17/06/18