The World Cup qualifiers continued, in the 14th round of the Central and North American Division, Costa Rica played against the United States at home, although the home team eventually won 2-0, but in the end because of the goal difference factor did not have the opportunity to directly qualify, won a play-off place, will compete with New Zealand for a World Cup qualifying place. The United States qualified for the World Cup, the 28th team to qualify, and Mexico also qualified.
In history, Costa Rica has participated in the World Cup a total of 5 times, and the best record is the top 8 of the 2014 World Cup. In the 2002 World Cup in South Korea and Japan, the national football team met this team, and as a result, in the group stage, the national football team lost 0-2.
Before the game, Costa Rica's qualifying situation was very grim, they scored 22 points in the first 13 rounds, ranking 4th, while the United States and Mexico both had 25 points and a huge goal difference advantage. The United States has 10 more goals than the 4th place goal difference, and Mexico has 7 more goals, which means that unless Costa Rica beats the United States by a large score and Mexico's fiasco occurs, the Costa Rican men's football team has a chance to directly qualify, which is obviously a difficult task to complete.
FiFA rankings, Costa Rica ranked 42nd in football, the United States team is 13th, before the game, the outside world has been optimistic about the United States to qualify, and Costa Rica needs to fight for the final miracle. In terms of starting lineup, the U.S. team lined up a 433 formation in this game, Pulisic, Pepi and Viah as tridents, midfielders have Acosta, Adams and Moussa, the four responsible for defense are Robinson, Robinson, Zieman and Jedlin, and the team goalkeeper will be Steffen. Costa Rica are a 541 formation with the team centre-forwards Contreras, Bennett and Montoya in midfield, Vargas in the backline and Navas as goalkeeper.
In the first half, neither team scored. In the 51st minute, Vargas scored and the score became 1-0. Eight minutes later, Costa Rica made a comeback when No. 7 contreras scored to make it 2-0.
Although Costa Rica worked very hard, it was unable to continue to score goals, and eventually could not surpass the United States and Mexico, and could only get 0.5 play-off spots. Very cruelly, Costa Rica's points were 25 points, which was as high as the United States, but it lost 6 goals on goal difference and ended up in 4th place instead of 3rd place. Mexico's points were 28 points and it advanced to the final stage. However, Costa Rica still has a chance to make its sixth appearance in the World Cup finals as long as they defeat New Zealand in the play-offs.