Costa Rica ends cold streak, defeats Chile 3-2 in Rancagua

Costa Rica defeated Chile 3-2 this Friday in a friendly match in Rancagua, Chile. The game showed Costa Rica’s resolve and the worst side of the two-time American champion, Chile.

Kendall Waston, the Costa Rican defender who plays for the Vancouver Whitecaps, scored in the end of the first half and in the beginning of the second.

¡Goooool de @kwaston88 #LaSele! La especialidad de la casa…

En vivo: https://t.co/a7pMIG5AbB pic.twitter.com/QegwgF49aD

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) November 17, 2018

Ronald Matarrita gave Costa Rica a third goal in minute 64, but then the Chileans struck back.

Sebastián Vegas broke the Chilean drought in minute 70 and then Alexis Sánchez made it 3-2 in the final minute of regulation time.

Chile was a shadow of the team that won the Copa América years ago and showed the same faults it had when it lost to Peru, 3-0. Costa Rica played without their star goalkeeper, Keylor Navas, but was able to take advantage of its attackers and had a strong defensive resolve in a game that felt like a resurrection for La Sele.

Chile’s frustration culminated in a missed penalty. Costa Rica’s Esteban Alvarado, who replaced Navas, caught Alexis Sánchez’s penalty, but the Manchester United forward was able to exact revenge and score a few minutes later.

Chile's player Alexis Sanchez reacts after failing to score a penalty kick against Costa Rica, during a friendly football match, at El Teniente stadium, in Rancagua, Chile on November 16, 2018. (Photo by Martin Bernetti / AFP)

With its cold streak over, Costa Rica will now look to finish the year strong against Ricardo Gareca’s Peru in Arequipa. Chile, on the other hand, will be looking to turn things around against Honduras in Temuco, Chile.

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