On Saturday, December 3rd, the National Team returned to Costa Rica after participating in the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
Costa Rica failed to advance past the group stage, despite having a chance in its last match. The Ticos lost 7-0 against Spain, then beat Japan 1-0, and in their last game, they were knocked out by Germany by a score of 2-4.
Players Keylor Navas, Óscar Duarte, Patrick Sequeira, and Francisco Calvo traveled separately from the rest of the group.
On their arrival on national grounds, some national teams commented on their performance at the World Cup.
“It wasn’t going to be an easy World Cup. We are self-critical, but I don’t think it was a bad World Cup. We fought in the ‘group of death;’ we almost qualified. You’re only thinking about the first game. I’m not satisfied because I wanted to qualify, but we are not in debt. Which team beat Japan? Only us. We fought and almost made it,” said Joel Campbell.
When asked about the game against Spain, Campbell explained that “those things can happen” and that they “didn’t want that result.”
Celso Borges also answered some questions from the media upon arrival. He also referred to the game against the Spaniards.
“I think we bounced back; it was the best lesson,” he said.
Yeltsin Tejeda, another experienced player, also expressed his thoughts on the team’s performance throughout the tournament.
“It is difficult to return to the country without achieving our goal. We were close, but soccer is like that; you close your eyes for a moment, and these things happen. It’s a lesson for the future, so we don’t go through it again,” noted Tejeda.
The player was extremely grateful for the goal he scored.
“It’s something that I had dreamed about. I’ve always been a defensive player, and God allowed me to score in a World Cup, I know it’s not just anyone who is given that privilege, and I’m proud of it,” he pointed out.
Some fans gathered at the Juan Santamaría airport to greet the players. Many also wanted to congratulate Bryan Ruiz on an extraordinary career and ask for pictures and autographs.
However, reactions are divided: while some Ticos think La Sele’s overall performance was satisfactory given the rivals, others believe the team could’ve done much better.
