No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeLa SeleCosta Rica's Under-17 team upsets France to advance to World Cup quarterfinals

Costa Rica’s Under-17 team upsets France to advance to World Cup quarterfinals

The Costa Rica Under-17 team is doing its best “La Sele” impression with a surprising run in the World Cup. After Thursday’s dramatic penalty shootout win over France, the Ticos’ youth team is now headed to the quarterfinals of the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Chile.

Costa Rica and France, the European champion for its age group, played a scoreless 90 minutes before the Ticos’ put home all five of their penalty kicks past goalkeeper Luca Zidane, son of French football legend Zinedine Zidane. When captain Timothé Cognat missed the second penalty kick, Les Bleuets never recovered, losing 5-3 and taking an early exit from a tournament in which they entered as one of the favorites to win.

France dominated pace in the first half, almost making it 1-0 on a breakaway opportunity at the end of the half. But the resilient Ticos held strong on defense and responded with some inspired play in the second half, where they created a number of opportunities against the French. Tico captain Luís Hernández was close to making a penalty shootout unnecessary when he nearly connected on a header off a free kick in extra time.

This marks Costa Rica’s first trip to the quarterfinals of the Under-17 World Cup since 2005, when a Costa Rica team led by current La Sele star Celso Borges was ousted by eventual champion Mexico.

The Ticos will play Belgium on Monday in the quarterfinals, with a chance to meet the Mexico vs. Ecuador winner. Kickoff is at 5 p.m. Costa Rican time.

Trending Now

Costa Rica TSE Seeks to Lift President Chaves Immunity

Costa Rica's electoral tribunal has stepped up pressure on President Rodrigo Chaves by asking lawmakers to strip his immunity over claims of political interference...

Costa Rica Police Investigate Buried Body as Possible Gringo Tico

Police in Costa Rica are checking if a body dug up from a farm belongs to Daniel Francisco Vargas Salas, a 71-year-old man locals...

Costa Rica Allows Cryptocurrency Donations for Political Parties

Costa Rica's electoral authorities have approved a groundbreaking shift, letting political parties accept donations in select cryptocurrencies for the first time. This move, led...

Costa Rica Bill Targets Public Drinking with Fines and Jail Time

Lawmakers in Costa Rica have put forward a bill to crack down on drinking in public spaces, aiming to cut down on related disturbances...

Riu Guanacaste Hotel Reopens in Costa Rica After Renovation

The Riu Guanacaste hotel in Costa Rica has reopened after a complete renovation, welcoming guests back to its beachfront spot on Matapalo Beach. The...

Costa Rica Court Orders Urgent Regulation of Tuna Fishing Law

Costa Rica's Constitutional Court has stepped in to push the government on a long-delayed tuna fishing law. The court partially backed an appeal from...
spot_img
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