Mexico beat Costa Rica in Gold Cup quarter-final after controversial penalty

Trinidad and Tobago play Panama in the opener followed by Mexico v Costa Rica in the highlight of the Gold Cup Quarterfinals.

The match was wide open from the beginning. Then the goal that finally came might not have been so well-deserved.

The Costa Rican players, and bench, exploded in disbelief at the call.

Mexico goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa was impressive in the first half as well, making easy work of everything that came his way.

The second half started off with even ball possession and stronger defense by both teams. That game is still 1-1 at the 140′ minute mark tonight. Peralta, continuing his offensive ways from the first half, hit the post. The two series will be played September 18 to 20 for a place in the final in November. But he continued to turn down offers to return to the national team until current head coach Miguel Herrera convinced him to join El Tri again in November.

The Mexicans dominated the proceedings throughout the game but couldn’t find the target till the last second of the second session with extra time, when they were awarded a spot-kick.

A moment of brilliance down the flank from Joel Campbell, where he went past three defenders only to be saved by the goalkeeper, would have been the goal of the century had it gone in. Maybe the only reassurance for the Mexican team is the ranking of their opponent for Sunday’s game.

Panama advanced to a third consecutive semi-final, having lost to the United States in 2011 before beating Mexico in 2013, only to fall to the Americans in the final. Mexican fans erupted, while the Costa Ricans were left in bewilderment. Varela emigrated from Costa Rica 12 years ago, and is an active participant of “Ticos en New Jersey”, which he used to organize a tailgate party. On replay, it is hard to give that contact in the air as a penalty, especially considering the circumstances and timing of the match. Peralta was also fortunate not to be sent off for a challenge from behind in the 113th minute.

The controversial play started when Mexico’s Orribe Peralta rose up to take a shot very late in the scoreless game. “They saw something in the area and that’s why they called the penalty”. Andres Guardado took the PK and scored in the 124th minute, sealing the fates of both Mexico and Costa Rica. Was it a penalty? “We’re all Hispanic, so we’re going to see who’s the greatest team, to see once and for all who’s better”.