Soccer Team Saved By Last-Minute Goal

AFTER its slaughter at the hands ofthe U.S. national team in an away gameSaturday evening, 3-0, Costa Rica’s nationalsoccer team rallied Wednesday on thehome turf and defeated Guatemala 3-2.La Selección Nacional, as the team iscalled, squeaked by after giving up twogame-tying goals within two minutes inthe second half, then scored its third goalin the last minute of play.The final goal may have secured CostaRica’s ticket to the 2006 World Cup inGermany, now that the country has sevenpoints in this final qualification round.Mexico leads the round with 13points, followed by the United States(12), Costa Rica, Guatemala (4), Trinidadand Tobago (4) and Panama (2).Costa Rica is scheduled to playMexico in an away game Aug. 17.