The Costa Rican
team
, led by Argentine coach
Gustavo Alfaro
, qualified this Saturday for the
Copa América
with a resounding 3-1 victory over
Honduras in a
Concacaf
playoff
for a place in the continental tournament that will be played from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.
The goals from
Orlando Galo
,
Warren Madrigal
and
Jefferson Brenes
ended up turning the story around that had started the wrong way after the initial goal from Honduran
Michaell Chirinos.
The Club Deportivo Olimpia left winger finished off with a furious volley from outside the area after an acrobatic backheel assist from
Jerry Bengtson
.
Nothing to do for
Keylor Navas
, who flew and flew and could only limit himself to watching the ball go into his goal.
It seemed that that blow, 10 minutes into the game, would guide the classification for the Hondurans, but the wind changed and the rejuvenated Costa Rican team got the sixth Concacaf berth for the
Copa América
, like
Canada
, which in a while Previously, they had defeated Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 to become Argentina's first rival.
Costa Rica will debut in the competition on June 24 against
Brazil
, and will then face
Colombia
and
Paraguay
in Group D activity.
In an intense first half with many fouls in the midfield at Toyota Park in Frisco, Texas, the Honduran team, led by Reinaldo Rueda, took the lead in the 10th minute with that great goal from Chirinos that has already gone viral.
WHAT A GREAT GOAL CHIRINOS!
🤯 🇭🇳 pic.twitter.com/BBIvPsHwII
— Concacaf Nations League (@CNationsLeague) March 23, 2024
Costa Rica reacted immediately and two minutes later Orlando Galo equalized the score by taking advantage of a rebound from goalkeeper Rougier after a header from Calvo.
The Costa Rican team settled better on the field and looked dangerous with the skill of Manfred Ugalde and with set pieces.
Honduras, decimated by numerous injuries for this call, had few opportunities in attack in the first half and in one of them they almost scored with a shot from Bengtson that did find a firm response from Navas.
The second half began with an incisive Honduras team in search of the winning goal while Costa Rica withstood the pressure and regained control of the actions.
A good association play on the right gave Costa Rica the second goal when Ugalde assisted with a header at the entrance of the area to Warren Madrigal, who with a powerful right foot hit the ball into the corner in the 12th minute.
The positive momentum gave Costa Rica a 3-1 lead with a shot from outside the area by Jefferson Brenes that deflected off a defender and left Rougier with no chance to react.
The best moments of the match are here 🎥
Costa Rica 🆚 Honduras pic.twitter.com/8wLT9geYR6
— Concacaf Nations League (@CNationsLeague) March 24, 2024
Alfaro renewed the team in key positions in the last half hour of the match, which allowed Costa Rica to maintain the advantage and avoided clear chances in their area.
Now he is going for the coup against Brazil and company.
Source: EFE