HOUSTON, Texas — Costa Rica defeated El Salvador 2-0 to climb into second place of Group C of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup on Sunday night at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.
Priscila Chinchilla struck first to put Las Ticas up in the 9’, following a through ball from Raquel Rodriguez. Chinchilla drove it into the area and capped off her attack with a well-placed hit to the opposite side netting.
El Salvador tried to answer through captain Priscila Ortiz, who tried her luck from inside in the 16’ but was just off the mark.
Rodriguez nearly had a wonder goal to go with her assist, but her long-distance attempt in the 19’ bounced off the top post.
El Salvador kept plugging away, as Samantha Fisher looked to convert on a counterattack in the 27’, but her shot from outside the box was wide. Brenda Ceren then was denied by the post in the 29’ on an exquisite ball from just outside the penalty arc.
Chinchilla was back at it early in the second half and converted for her brace in the 49’ by connecting on a through pass from Gabriela Guillen.
Chinchilla consigue el doblete y el segundo de las ticas 🔥 pic.twitter.com/0OkFqcw6S6
— W Gold Cup (@GoldCup) February 26, 2024
El Salvador never stopped battling though and Danya Gutierrez had a look from outside the box in the 57’ but couldn’t get it on frame. Costa Rica GK Daniela Solera then came up with a crucial stop in the 58’ to deny Ceren, keeping the clean sheet intact for Costa Rica.
The Ticas were keen to tack on a third for insurance and Maria Paula Salas nearly converted on a header in the 89’ to try an put the scoreline further out of reach, but El Salvador GK Idalia Serrano was there for the save.
Costa Rica will face Group C leaders Canada at Shell Energy Stadium on Wednesday. El Salvador will close out the final matchday of the group stage against Paraguay.
