SAN JOSÉ — The Costa Rican national team defeated the United States 2-0 this Wednesday, but did not achieve its goal of aspiring to a direct quota to Qatar 2022 and is preparing to play the playoff after the match of the fourteenth and last day of the final phase of the Concacaf qualifiers.
The Ticos, led by Colombian Luis Fernando Suárez, reached 25 points, the same as Greg Berhalter’s Americans, who took third place in direct classification for the Qatar event due to better goal difference.
In the first half, the Americans had the option to open the scoring in the 7th minute thanks to a shot by Miles Robinson that Keylor Navas, from the French Paris Saint Germain register, saved on the line.
The Costa Ricans reacted with shots from Anthony Contreras and Jewison Benette, but the US defense blocked all attempts.
Navas was once again the hero for the Central Americans after taking another dangerous shot off Ricardo Pepi in the 29th minute.
Already in the second half, Navas again saved the Stars and Stripes team’s goal cry in the 47th minute after a double impact in the area again by Robinson.
Two minutes later, the defender of the Colombian Millionaires Juan Pablo Vargas beat the resistance of Zack Steffen, of the English Manchester City, with an accurate header to decree the 1-0 for the Ticos.
In minute 58, after a confusion in the visiting area, Contreras, from the local Guanacasteca, raised the second Costa Rican goal to the board.
Costa Rica will play the World Cup playoff against the New Zealand team next June in a single match in Qatar.
