HARRISON, New Jersey – After earning just one point from their first two matches, Costa Rica defeated Martinique 6-4 in Group C action at Red Bull Arena on Tuesday night to bounce back and advance to the knockout stage of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup for the 13th consecutive time.
With 10 total goals, the match set the record for the highest scoring game in Gold Cup history.
Costa Rica were the victors and move on. As runners-up in Group C, they now have a date with Mexico on Saturday in Arlington, Texas.
Los Ticos had a difficult time scoring in their first two matches, but were able to buck the trend early in this one. Kendall Waston got them on the board in the 10th minute when he pounced on a loose ball in the box.
However, Martinique’s Patrick Burner would thrust his side right back into the match with a beautiful 18th minute curler from just outside the box. This was Burner’s third goal of the competition, and second of the group stage.
Francisco Calvo then scored in the 41st minute, giving Costa Rica a thin 2-1 lead back going into the halftime break.
Just eight minutes into the second half, Costa Rica would extend that lead to 3-1 via a towering header from Juan Pablo Vargas. It was the first career Gold Cup goal for the 28-year-old defender.
At this point, Martinique had no choice but to press forward. Costa Rica quickly drew a penalty on a counterattack in the 56th minute, and Joel Campbell coolly and confidently tucked the ball home to seemingly put the game out of reach at 4-1.
The Ticos would add another, in the 68th minute, this time from Anthony Contreras. Like Vargas, the close-range effort was his maiden goal at a Gold Cup.
Martinique did not give up, and Brighton Labeau converted a penalty in the 74th minute to bring the scoreline to 5-2. A fine half volley from Burner in the 78th minute cut the deficit to 5-3. Suddenly, the game was back on.
Les Matinino did manage a handful more chances, but the next goal came on the other end instead, when Diego Campos slammed home one more for the Ticos in the 89th minute.
Martinique would get one final consolation in the 92nd minute, courtesy of a neat finish from Jonathan Mexique.
