The matchup is an interesting one as both teams are playing for a spot in the knockout round. Panama is the only safe team in the group, even if Martinique wins tonight Panama goes through. For Costa Rica, it’s simple win the match and you move on, lose or draw and your tournament is done. For Martinique, they need a win or draw to move to the knockout stage.
Early on it seems the Costa Rican side has the Guatemala fans on their side for this match, we shall see if it stays that way throughout the match.
Costa Rica gets on the board early getting a goal in the 10′ via tap-in from the goal line, the goal was scored by Kendall Watson. Well, things got interesting fast in this match-up, currently Panama will go through with the side from Costa Rica.
The building is the quietest it’s been all tournament; Martinique ties the match up in the 18′ when Patrick Burner finds space left of the goal 17 yards out and sends a bender far post into the upper 90 over the Costa Rica goalkeeper Kevin Chamorro.
In the 41′ Costa Rica regains the lead on another goal from the goal line, this one is credited to Francisco Calvo for now, and the goal is under review, the goal stands, and Costa Rica is officially up 2 – 1 now.
The fourth official indicates a minimum of 4′ will be added to the first half of play. That’s the end of the first half, Costa Rica is up 2 – 1 after 45′ of play.
The goal for Costa Rica in the 54′ of the second half giving them a commanding 3 – 1 lead now and we might see Martinique exit. The goal was scored by Juan Pablo Vargas.
A penalty kick is incoming for Costa Rica after the Martinique goalkeeper took down Anthony Contreras in the box when he tried to go around the keeper toward the goal. The Martinique keeper is shown a yellow card for his efforts. The penalty kick is taken by Joel Campbell, he goes lower corner 2nd post for the goal. Costa Rica is now up 4 – 1, it’s a complete disaster for Martinique in the 59′.
If the results hold it will be Panama and Costa Rica advancing to the knockout stages of the tournament.
Yet another goal for Costa Rica, this one in the 68′ from Anthony Contreras who earned the penalty kick earlier in the second half. Contreras made a far post run and took the low-driven cross played in from the left, he went 1st post goal scorer to give his side the 5 – 1 lead and the route is on.
Martinique will get a penalty kick chance in the 73′, the play is under review by VAR, and it’s confirmed, Brighton Labeau goes low inside the 1st post for the goal, the score is now 5 – 2 in favor of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica thought they got another goal, but the play was blown offside by the AR, and now Martinique scores again in the 79′. This time it is Patrick Burner and that’s a brace for him in this match. He buried the rebound from the Costa Rica goalkeeper into the lower 2nd post. The score is now 5 – 3 still in favor of Costa Rica, but Martinique is starting to feel a tidal change incoming, Costa Rica is going to make a few substitutions next whistle in the 81′.
Costa Rica’s coach is not happy on the sideline giving a glaring stare toward his players. Martinique has a free kick in a dangerous area in the 85′, taken by Jonathan Mexique, he finds Brighton Labeau but his tap toward the goal just finds the goalkeeper, someone missed a run on the play.
Costa Rica gets one back in the 90′ it’s an easy tap-in goal for Diego Campos who is all alone in front of the goal near the back post and he finishes the chance with ease. Costa Rica now is up 6 – 3 and there will be a minimum of 3′ added to the match.
Martinique gets one right back in the 90’+2′ when Jonathan Mexique goes around his defender and blasts a shot inside the 1st post beating the keeper clean. The score is now 6 – 4 and that last goal by Mexique is proving huge right now. That’s the match, Costa Rica will move on with Panama to the knockout rounds.
Photo Credit: Concacaf.com
Photo Credit: Concacaf.com
Discover more from Bad Dawg Sports - Global Sports Coverage & Analysis
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
