EL SALVADOR 1-2 COSTA RICA; BOTH CONTRERAS AND CAMPBELL SCORE TO SEND COSTA RICA TO THE FINAL PLAY-OFFS OF THE WORLD CUP QUALIFICATION.
16 points from the last six games has taken Costa Rica from second bottom of the CONCACAF qualification table to fourth, occupying the Intercontinental Play-off spot ahead of Wednesday’s final showdown with the USA. A sublime Anthony Contreras overhead kick was the pick of the goals as they look to make a fifth World Cup (WC) in the last six.
Prior to their last H2H, the last five encounters had seen a lowly four goals, with both teams priding themselves on stern defence somewhat in sacrifice of attacking flair.History would be proven wrong as the game descended into chaos in two first half minutes. On only his second international appearance, 22-year-old Contreras fired home a miraculous overhead kick following a marauding run and cross down the right from Kendall Weston.
The sheer audacity seemed to spark ‘La Selecta’ into life and from the resulting kick off Kevin Reyes found himself running at the opposition back four before sliding in Cristian Gil. Gil’s finish wasn’t perfect, but it found the net looping in via Keylor Navas’ leg. The half wasn’t yet over as on the stroke of HT Campbell put ‘Los Ticos’ back in front. Right-back Keysher Fuller flew past two Salvadorian statues down the right before pulling the ball back across the six-yard line and it was easier to miss for Campbell who finished calmly with his left.
The home fans grew increasingly frustrated with ‘La Selecta’ during the second half, with their side failing to qualify for a 10th consecutive WC, dating back to Spain 1982. They perhaps should have had chances to level from the spot, but Jamaican referee Daneon Parchment turned a blind eye not once but twice with Brayan Landaverde bearing down on goal.
Costa Rica are now 10 games unbeaten against their hosts (W5, D5) dating back to a 2010 WC qualifier. ‘La Selecta’ travel to Mexico next, with tonight’s opponents desperately hoping they can do a job in a game they can gain nothing from other than pride.
