Wales were unable to mark the Gary Speed Memorial Match with a victory as Joel Campbell's early goal gave Costa Rica a 1-0 win on an emotional night at the Cardiff City Stadium.
Campbell, on loan at Lorient from Arsenal, scored the only goal in the seventh minute as he calmly slotted home from Bryan Ruiz's superb pass.
Striker Steve Morison went closest to an equaliser for Wales as his first-half header struck the bar before landing on the line and being cleared, while captain Craig Bellamy and Hal Robson-Kanu also had chances on a night when the principality remembered one of its most cherished figures.
After the game Wales manager Chris Coleman admitted his players found it difficult to cope with the emotion of the occasion.
"It was always going to be difficult under the circumstances, it was not our normal preparation," Coleman told Sky Sports 2.
"This was about one guy and it was important we were there to show our support and celebrate his life.
"His two boys have come into the dressing room and onto the pitch and you could see why he was so proud of them.
"It was a strange atmosphere because we were still grieving, but at the same time we had a game to win.
"At the start we weren't really at the races. We had a couple of chances after that but the main reason for tonight was for Speeds.
"I commend the players, they did their best but I knew we were going to start slow.
"They've been a terrific bunch but they all miss Speeds. We lost on the night but we gave it what we had."
