Costa Rica advances to Nations League semifinals with draw vs. Haiti

The Costa Rica men’s national soccer team did just enough to reach the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals.

La Sele tied Haiti, 1-1, on Sunday night at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in Tibás to secure the top spot in Group D. The result relegated last-place Haiti to the second tier of the tournament and also secured Costa Rica’s spot in the 2021 Gold Cup.

Despite finishing atop the group, the tournament has been far from easy for Costa Rica, and Sunday’s performance was no different.

Francisco Calvo scored Costa Rica’s lone goal in the 27th minute with a header off a set piece.

The lead evaporated 10 minutes later as Duckens Nazon pulled Haiti level with a penalty kick. And the Caribbean side had better chances throughout the second half, even scoring an apparent go-ahead goal before it was called back for offsides.

Watch the full highlights here:

No te pierdas los mejores momentos del empate 1-1 entre @fedefutbolcrc 🇨🇷 y @fhfhaiti 🇭🇹#CNL | #FollowTheDream pic.twitter.com/Ptatx5jRZU

— Concacaf Nations League (@CNationsLeague) November 18, 2019

Costa Rica’s poor performances in the Nations League group stage — La Sele finished with three draws and only one win — mean it will face the top-ranked group winner in June’s semifinals.

Full details will be announced after the CONCACAF Nations League group stage ends Tuesday night.