SAN JOSE, Costa Rica.- Mexico earned its second victory of the Final Round of Concacaf World Cup qualification for Qatar 2022, going into the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Costa Rica, and coming out with a 1-0 victory over the hosts thanks to a goal from the penalty spot from Orbelin Pineda.
Mexico’s first clear chance came in the 20th minute when confusion in the Costa Rican defense led to a breakaway for El Tricolor forward Rogelio Funes Mori. The Monterrey man used his right foot to put a shot on target, but Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas got down quickly to win the one-on-one battle and keep the scoreline at 0-0.
But Navas couldn't stop Mexico from nosing in front in first half stoppage time. Pineda became the first player to beat Navas in this World Cup qualification cycle, putting his penalty to the right of the former Concacaf Goalkeeper of the Year as he dove to his left.
Andres Guardado had won the penalty moments earlier, getting into the area before he was clipped by Costa Rica defender Bryan Oviedo, who put his boot into Guardado’s left shin.
Mexico threatened again in the 56th minute with a counter-attack catching the Costa Rican defense in a moment of disorganization. Yet, Funes Mori didn’t spot a wide-open Jesus Gallardo streaking into the box, opting to play short for Pineda, who was marked, and the chance came to nothing.
While forward Joel Campbell came into the match at halftime, Costa Rica struggled to break through a staunch Mexico back line.
The most dangerous moment came as the clock ticked into stoppage time and Costa Rica put in a long throw-in toward substitute Kendall Waston. The ball bounced off the defender and fell to Keysher Fuller, who lobbed a shot toward Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa’s goal, but it kissed off the bar and stayed out.
Costa Rica is still searching for its first goal of qualification, and so the Ticos will hope to find it as they stay at home, welcoming Jamaica, on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Mexico stays in Central America to take on Panama.
