Costa Rica guaranteed themselves a spot in the knockout stage last Thursday, with a decisive 2-1 victory over Bermuda on match-day two of the Group stage play in the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup. Los Ticos will play for the group on June 24th with the winner getting the honor of avoiding tournament favorite Mexico in the knockout stage.
Bermuda had a few key early opportunities to put themselves ahead early in the match. Most notable of these missed opportunities came in the 19th minute, as a overhead pass in to the box deflected off of two Costa Rican defenders, landing right near the right foot of Bermudan midfielder Reggie Lambe. Lambe’s shot from about ten feet away landed directly into the keeper’s gloves.
The missed attempt proved to be costly as about 11 minutes later, Los Ticos put themselves on the scoreboard with a goal from forward Mayron George who was able to slot home a rebound from the middle of the box following a corner. While Bermudan keeper, Dale Eve, was able to initially parry a header from the corner, the rebound landed at the feet of George near the penalty spot who was able to put it away in the middle of the box.
Costa Rica was able to double their lead after the break with a screaming shot from wide in the box that slid past the outstretched fingers of the Bermudan keeper and into goal near the far post.
Bermuda was able to make the match interesting, with a Nahki Wells goal off of a penalty shot in the 59th minute. The penalty stemming from a foul committed by Costa Rican midfielder Celso Borges, tightened the match in the final 30 minutes but the Central American team was able to see the victory out.
Prost Photographer Eric Guzman was at the match and you can check out some of his photos below.
Costa Rica
CONCACAF Gold Gup
