MIAMI, Florida – The stage is set for a magical night of football as Mexico and Costa Rica clash in the semifinals of the 2021 Concacaf Nations League Finals on Thursday night at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado.
It marks the first official meeting in Concacaf play between the two sides since their memorable 2019 Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal when El Tricolor edged the Ticos in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw.
Mexico arrive into the contest feeling plenty confident after posting a 4W-0D-0L record in Group B of League A of the 2019-20 Concacaf Nations League.
Head Coach Gerardo Martino’s side also posted a 2-1 win over Iceland in a pre-CNLF friendly on Saturday in which FW Hirving Lozano scored both Mexico goals.
Lozano was also the man of the moment last March when Mexico faced Costa Rica in an international friendly, with the Napoli scoring the winning goal in a 1-0 final.
Costa Rica reached the CNLF thanks to a 1W-3D-0L record in Group D of League A of the 2019-20 CNL, showing their trademark defensive solidity with just three goals conceded in that period.
Head Coach Ronald Gonzalez will be able to rely on many of the same veteran players who have lifted Costa Rica to new heights in international football in recent years, including winger Bryan Ruiz, FW Joel Campbell and MF Celso Borges.
FACTS
• Last time they met: Costa Rica 0-1 Mexico (Hirving Lozano), in an International Friendly, at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt, AUT (30 Mar 2021).
• They have met 55 times, Mexico has achieved 31 wins (GF 88 ), 18 draws and 6 wins for Costa Rica (GF 34 ).
• It will be the first meeting in the Concacaf Nations League.
