ARLINGTON, TX. - Mexico moved into the semifinals of the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup with a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica in the quarterfinal on Saturday night at AT&T Stadium.
Mexico remain unbeaten against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup, improving their all-time record versus the Ticos in the tournament to 6W-3D-0L.
The first half saw both teams find opportunities to create dangerous chances but fail to find the final touch that resulted in a goal. Just before the half-hour mark, one of Mexico’s best chances came when FW Uriel Antuna made one of his breakaways down the right wing, but Costa Rica was able to clear the danger as he entered the penalty area, unable to find his teammates making runs to the back post.
The second half was similarly tense with both teams looking to secure their passage to the next round, but Mexico was able to nose ahead shortly after the halftime break.
El Tricolor earned a penalty in the 50th minute when FW Henry Martin was fouled in the box by Costa Rica DF Kendall Waston.
Orbelin Pineda stepped up to take the kick and sent his effort to Costa Rica GK Kevin Chamorro’s left, beating the shot-stopper and putting the North American team ahead 1-0 on the scoreboard.
The lead almost became two goals in the 85th minute, when Mexico was able to break away after a good moment of transition started by DF Julian Araujo. FW Santiago Gimenez fired a left-footed shot from outside the box that bounced just wide of Chamorro’s post and out for a goal kick. Gimenez hit the target shortly after, putting a header onto a cross from the left side, but he couldn’t beat the Costa Rican goalkeeper.
But Chamorro would be beaten in the 87th minute, as Mexico FW Roberto Alvarado got loose and cut into the penalty area, centering for a close-range effort by MF Erick Sanchez that doubled El Tricolor’s advantage to 2-0.
With the victory, Mexico moves into the semifinals where it awaits the winner of Sunday’s quarterfinal between Jamaica and Guatemala.
Fact:
Celso Borges has become the player with the most appearances in the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinals with six, surpassing Landon Donovan of the United States, Bryan Ruiz of Costa Rica, Jaime Penedo, Gabriel Gómez, and Román Torres of Panama.
