Campbell, Calvo goals secure Costa Rica win vs. Martinique

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica. - A first-half goal from Joel Campbell and a second-half score from Francisco Calvo pushed Costa Rica past Martinique 2-0 on Sunday at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica. It’s the Ticos’ first win of the 2022-23 Concacaf Nations League in Group B of League A.

It looked as though the visitors would have the opener in the 25th minute, with Martinique FW Mickael Biron earning a free kick and then taking it from a dangerous area. He struck the crossbar with his shot, but couldn’t turn it into the opener.

The hosts responded to the wake-up call and found the opening goal in the 28th minute. Costa Rica FW Johan Venegas sent a through ball between Martinique defenders, and Campbell beat his defender to the ball and used a left-footed first touch to finish past Martinique GK Yannis Clementia.

Martinique sought the equalizer and had a great opportunity in the 72nd minute. Substitute forward Jeremy Sebas beat his defender to get to the byline and cut the ball back into the box, where Biron was waiting to put a powerful shot on target, but Costa Rica GK Aaron Cruz stopped it to make sure the clean sheet stayed intact.

The game then finished with a connection from a pair of center backs. After Carlos Mora found Oscar Duarte on the right side of the box, Duarte set up defensive partner Calvo for a shot in the box that beat Clementia in the 88th minute.

Costa Rica now turns its attention to a June 14 playoff against New Zealand, which it needs to win to become the fourth Concacaf team at the FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Martinique stays in Central America for a June 9 game against Panama at the Estadio Rommel Fernandez.