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Mexico survive Gold Cup scare and squeak past Costa Rica

By Ernesto Hernandez

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico celebrates after saving the penalty of Keysher Fuller of Costa Rica winning the penalty shootout during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between Mexico v Costa Rica at NRG Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 29: Guillermo Ochoa of Mexico celebrates after saving the penalty of Keysher Fuller of Costa Rica winning the penalty shootout during the 2019 CONCACAF Gold Cup Quarter Final match between Mexico v Costa Rica at NRG Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images) /
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Mexico need penalties against Costa Rica to make it through to the Gold Cup semifinals.

Mexico was rarely going to be tested throughout the Gold Cup. However, the way the seeding was done, they faced their first real test straight away in the quarter-finals in the form of Costa Rica. Test them they did as Costa Rica pushed Mexico all the way to penalties where the side coached by Gerardo ‘Tata’ Martino ultimately prevailed.

Mexico got out to a strong start dominating possession and pinning Costa Rica. Their possession finally paid off late in the first-half when Raul Jimenez scored from inside-the-box to put Mexico ahead.

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But in the most controversial moment of the game, Joel Campbell managed to get past two Mexican defenders and found his way heading straight to a one-on-one with Guillermo Ochoa. One of Mexico’s defenders caught up and tipped the ball right before Campbell was going to take the shot. The Costa Rican fell and the referee awarded a penalty.

Replayed showed that the defender did indeed get a touch on the ball first. In addition, the foul was outside the area. The referee did not hesitate to award the penalty and Costa Rica equalized.

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After the penalty, Costa Rica really got into the game and Mexico look frazzled. They pressured Mexico and the team struggled to build to from the back. Costa Rica forced Ochoa to make a few good saves right up until regulation. Extra-time saw more of the same with Mexico desperate to find a winner and avoid penalties. Mexico were all over the place and looked disorganized on the field.

Things looked bleak for Mexico when Raul Jimenez missed their first penalty. To his relief Costa Rica missed two penalties with Ochoa making the save for the last penalty. Mexico went through and face the surprise of the tournament in Haiti.

The talk after the game by Martino was on the officiating. Particularly in the lack of video assistant referee.

According to Goal, he said, “It’s impossible, with the technology that exists today and with VAR in Mexico and with VAR in the United States, that this tournament be played without VAR.”

Had VAR been used in the game, it is likely that the penalty call would have been reversed. There was also a shout for a handball by Costa Rica in the penalty box that was not called.

Martino will also miss Mexico’s next game as he picked up his second yellow card in two games and will serve a suspension.

Costa Rica left a good impression despite the loss. They grew into the tournament and pushed Mexico more than any other side.

As for Mexico, their performances have gotten sloppier and it was by far the worst since Martino took over. Against Haiti, they will need to improve significantly as the Caribbean side is no pushover.

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Fortunately for Mexico, their path to the Gold Cup final in Soldier Field continues.

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