No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeArchiveCosta Rica survives El Salvador; takes control of World Cup destiny

Costa Rica survives El Salvador; takes control of World Cup destiny

Costa Rica took back control of its own destiny in World Cup preliminaries after defeating El Salvador, 1-0, Friday night in San Salvador. The Ticos can advance to the “hexagonal stage” of qualifying for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by defeating Guyana on Tuesday night in San José.

José Cubero’s goal at the 31 minute propelled Costa Rica  points to second place in Concacaf’s Group B and dropped El Salvador into 3rd place.

If El Salvador had defeated Costa Rica, the Salvadorans would have knocked out the Ticos and joined Mexico in moving on to the next round. Now Costa Rica holds the edge, needing only to beat a Guyana team that the Ticos beat 4-0 in Georgetown back in June.

Mexico remained undefeated in Group B by thrashing last place Guyana, 5-0.

In Group A, The U.S. eked out an extra time, 2-1, victory against lowly Antigua and Barbuda to move in a tie atop the division with Guatemala. The Guatemalans knocked off Jamaica, 2-1. The U.S. and Guatemala meet next Tuesday as does Jamaica and Antigua & Barbuda. Jamaica maintains a slim hope of advancing to the next round, but must win next week to have a shot.

In Group C, Honduras tied Panama to keep its hope alive of returning to the World Cup. Canada and Panama remain atop the group.

Final Matches of Group Stage – Next Tuesday

GROUP A

Guatemala at the United States
Antigua and Barbuda at Jamaica

GROUP B

El Salvador at Mexico
Guyana at Costa Rica at 7:30 p.m.

GROUP C

Panama at Cuba
Canada at Honduras

Standings

GROUP A (wins, draws, losses, points)

Guatemala 3-1-1 10 pts
United States 3-1-1 10 pts
Jamaica 2-1-2 7 pts
Antigua and Barbuda 0-1-4 1 pt

GROUP B

Mexico 5-0-0 15 pts
Costa Rica 2-1-2 7 pts
El Salvador 1-2-2 5 pts
Guyana 0-1-4 1 pt

GROUP C

Panama 3-1-1 10 pts
Canada 3-1-1 10 pts
Honduras 2-2-1 8 pts
Cuba 0-0-5 0 pts

Trending Now

Costa Rica’s Eyelash Viper Snake Is One of the Most Beautiful

There are at least 141 different species of snakes in Costa Rica. With that large number of species packed into such a tiny nation,...

Costa Rica Surf Film Festival Honors ‘Pura Vida Bodysurfing’ with Top Audience Award

Pura Vida Bodysurfing is an award-winning short film that strips surfing back to its essence—riding waves without a surfboard. Filmed across Costa Rica’s legendary...

Prisma Dental in Costa Rica Keeps Customers Happy and Smiling

I am 81 years old and have had teeth removed, bridges, and cavities fixed several times to sustain my ability to eat and function....

Costa Rica’s Rare Birds at Risk as Human Activity Threatens Extinction

Costa Rica’s bare-necked umbrellabird, a striking black bird with a red throat pouch and crest, is in trouble. A new study in Nature Ecology...

2025 Gold Cup: Honduras Advances After Dramatic Shootout, Mexico Ends Goal Drought

Honduras, with a surprising and dramatic penalty shootout victory over Panama, and Mexico, with a lackluster win against Saudi Arabia, advanced Saturday to the...

Costa Rican Court Orders Release of Migrants Deported Under Trump Deal

A court on Tuesday ordered Costa Rican authorities to release foreign migrants who had been detained in a shelter after being deported under an...
Avatar
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait
Costa Rica Travel

Latest News from Costa Rica