Second-half goals from Orbelin Pineda and Erick Sanchez took Mexico to victory over Costa Rica, booking their spot in the Gold Cup semifinals.
Starting XI
Mexico (4-1-4-1): Memo Ochoa (GK), Jesús Gallardo, Johan Vásquez, César Montes, Jorge Sánchez; Edson Álvarez, Orbelín Pineda, Luis Chávez, Luis Romo, Uriel Antuna; Henry Martín
Costa Rica (4-2-3-1): Kevin Chamorro (GK); Francisco Calvo, Juan Pablo Vargas, Kendall Waston, Jefry Valverde; Wilmer Azofeifa, Celso Borges, Cristopher Núñez, Josimar Alcócer, Joel Campbell; Anthony Contreras
First Half
Mexico nearly began the match with a dream start. After a string of passes, they found themselves bounding forward led by Henry Martin. With a pass between two Costa Rican defenders, Martin found Jorge Sanchez. On his first touch, Sanchez fired a shot at the near post of goal that was deflected for a corner by Kevin Chamorro.
A few minutes later, Costa Rica were the aggressor. Joel Campbell carried the ball into the box before reversing ground and playing a pass to Anthony Contreras, who was in ample space at the top of the box. With his first touch, Contreras controlled the ball towards the center of the goal before unleashing a low shot aimed to the right of Memo Ochoa. Ochoa did well to make it to the ground, saving the shot with an outstretched hand as well as covering the resulting rebound.
After the opening chances from each team, the match settled into an even contest that saw each team enjoy periods of possession. The next goal-scoring opportunity in the match would fall to Mexico.
A few yards into the attacking half, Sanchez played a direct ball over the Costa Rica backline connecting with Uriel Antuna. After a couple of bounces that took the ball closer to goal, Antuna connected with an off-balance shot that flew well wide of goal.
After that chance, neither team was able to create any significant offense. Following two minutes of stoppage time, the ref blew his whistle signaling the end of the half, sending the two teams into the break knotted at 0-0.
Second Half
After being unsuccessful in breaking down Costa Rica for 45 minutes, Mexico were gifted with a goal-scoring opportunity in the 51st minute. Following a sequence of passing around the box, Martin was played through on goal before being taken down from behind, winning a penalty kick. Orbelin Pineda stepped up and made no mistake in slotting home the penalty kick (Pineda 1-0 52′).
With their one-goal advantage, Mexico settled into the half and worked to maintain their lead but did not abandon the attack.
In the 69th minute, a long-range free kick from Luis Chávez was directed on goal narrowly missing the target high. That chance was followed by two more long-range efforts but both were comfortably saved.
Nearing the end of the second half, substitute Santi Gimenez strode forwards toward the goal. As he made it near the edge of the box, he fired a shot that dragged just wide of the post.
Determined to put the game to rest, Mexico continued on the attack. That persistence paid off as they found their second goal.
Attacking down the left flank, Roberto Alvarado, in 84th-minute substitution, found himself free on goal after being slipped a through ball by Gimenez. After a couple of touches towards goal, Alvarado played a pass across the six-yard box that found Erick Sanchez rushing toward goal. Sanchez met the ball and tapped it into the goal, doubling Mexico’s advantage and securing victory (Sanchez 2-0 87′).
Mexico will play the winner of the quarterfinal matchup between Jamaica and Guatemala. That semifinal match will be played Wednesday, July 12th at 9:00 pm CT at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarterfinals: Mexico 2 (Pineda 52′, Sanchez 87′) – 0 Costa Rica
For more information on the Gold Cup, click the links below;
For more football news this season, click the link below;
Check out Area Sports Network on Twitter & Instagram and Subscribe to our YouTube Channel. We just hit 1k subscribers and look to continue to grow the channel. Stay tuned for more content going forward!
