Costa Rica (2) vs. United States (0) – Results

A very young team from Costa Rica ratified this Wednesday its good moment by achieving an excellent 2-0 victory over the United States. This time, for matchday 14 of the CONCACAF Qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup. Juan Pablo Vargas and Anthony Contreras were in charge to score the goals for the victory of Costa Rica. With this, they confirm their pass to a playoff against New Zealand for a ticket to the World Cup.

With this result on the last day of the CONCACAF octagonal round, the United States with 25 points joins Canada and Mexico as the three CONCACAF teams that qualify directly for the World Cup. Meanwhile, Costa Rica is level on points with the United States. However, with a goal difference of +5, they closed in the fourth box that accesses the playoffs.

First Half

Costa Rica’s coach, Colombian Luis Fernando Suárez, reserved 8 footballers who had a yellow card and who, if they received another, would miss the playoff against New Zealand. For this reason, he fielded a very young team of 23 years on average; in which the debut of 18-year-old midfielder Brandon Aguilera stood out. He led the game and with two long-range shots generated the two clearest chances in the first half.

In the first 45 minutes, the United States had possession of the ball and clarity when Christian Pulisic came into contact with it and managed to separate himself from the sticky mark of the Costa Rican defenders.

Second Half

In the first play of the second half, Costa Rican star Keylor Navas saved his goal again; this time with a great save from Pepi’s header. A few minutes later, Costa Rica responded and at minute 51 opened the scoring with a header goal by Juan Pablo Vargas from a corner kick.

Costa Rica continued to pressure the United States after this first goal and with spectacular soccer quality, they managed to extend the score at minute 59 through the 22-year-old attacker Anthony Contreras, who took advantage of a dropped ball in the small area to score his second goal in the last two qualifying days.

Finally, Costa Rica was able to withstand the result and all the attacks from the North Americans. With this stupendous victory, they ensure their ticket to the playoffs. They will play against New Zealand, where they see themselves as the favorite team to win and own one of the 3 places that are missing from this World Cup.