Played
September 7, 2012 10:00 PM EDT
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica — San José
Referee: R. Moreno
Attendance: 32500
September 7, 2012 10:00 PM EDT
Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica — San José
Referee: R. Moreno
Attendance: 32500
Costa Rica 0-2 Mexico: Guardado corners lead to road win in World Cup qualifying
Two corners led to Mexico's two goals in a tidy win away at Costa Rica in World Cup qualifying.
By Zac Lee Rigg
The hubbub before the match questioned Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez's starting credentials, with the striker earning limited minutes at Manchester United. Fueling the talk was the hot form of Aldo De Nigris and Oribe Peralta. Jose Manuel 'Chepo' de la Torre eventually decided to partner Peralta with Hernandez in the World Cup qualifier against Costa Rica.
It didn't matter. The central midfield pair of Jesus Zavala and Carlos Salcido scored the goals to lead El Tri past Los Ticos in San Jose, Costa Rica. With the 2-0 win, Mexico remains perfect in CONCACAF qualifying, with nine points from three matches.
The match stayed goalless until right before halftime. Andres Guardado curled in a corner, which Francisco Rodriguez stooped to deflect away from goal. Carlos Salcido wrapped his right peg around the ball with a one-time volley that zipped through a mass of bodies and into the net.
Only a handful of minutes after the halftime break, set pieces struck again. Guardado sent in another in-swinger, which Jesus Zavala clipped over goalkeeper Keylor Navas and in.
Guardado, who recently completed a move to Valencia in La Liga, tried to get in on the action himself. His swerving long-range drive clacked off the crossbeam and away to safety after a touch from Keylor Navas.
Costa Rica, in need of a goal at home, threw on striker Randall Brenes for former Chivas USA defender Michael Umaña. It nearly paid off immediately when Brenes won a header in the box, sending the ball just inches wide of the post with Jesus Corona frozen.
With 15 minutes left to play, Brenes put the ball in the back of the net. Alvaro Saborio headed on a long ball out of the defense and Brenes latched onto it and slid it past Corona, but the referee correctly whistled him offside.
Mexico held out until the final whistle to secure the win.
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It didn't matter. The central midfield pair of Jesus Zavala and Carlos Salcido scored the goals to lead El Tri past Los Ticos in San Jose, Costa Rica. With the 2-0 win, Mexico remains perfect in CONCACAF qualifying, with nine points from three matches.
The match stayed goalless until right before halftime. Andres Guardado curled in a corner, which Francisco Rodriguez stooped to deflect away from goal. Carlos Salcido wrapped his right peg around the ball with a one-time volley that zipped through a mass of bodies and into the net.
Only a handful of minutes after the halftime break, set pieces struck again. Guardado sent in another in-swinger, which Jesus Zavala clipped over goalkeeper Keylor Navas and in.
Guardado, who recently completed a move to Valencia in La Liga, tried to get in on the action himself. His swerving long-range drive clacked off the crossbeam and away to safety after a touch from Keylor Navas.
Costa Rica, in need of a goal at home, threw on striker Randall Brenes for former Chivas USA defender Michael Umaña. It nearly paid off immediately when Brenes won a header in the box, sending the ball just inches wide of the post with Jesus Corona frozen.
With 15 minutes left to play, Brenes put the ball in the back of the net. Alvaro Saborio headed on a long ball out of the defense and Brenes latched onto it and slid it past Corona, but the referee correctly whistled him offside.
Mexico held out until the final whistle to secure the win.
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Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking
Fans' Man of the Match
Fans' Flop of the Match
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Peter Byers Striker |
10 | 1 |
|
B. Pérez Striker FC Dallas |
9 | 0 |
|
Clint Dempsey Midfielder Tottenham |
7 | 1 |
|
A. Saborío Striker RSL |
7 | 1 |
|
|
Deon McCalauy Midfielder Belize |
7 | 1 |
