Mexico tops Costa Rica 1-0 in Gold Cup on late penalty

A matter of moments before the clash was poised to be decided by penalties, Oribe Peralta went to ground under a challenge from Roy Miller inside the box. I am not creating any speculation; I am hurt and I think the players are hurt. Guardado converted to send six-time champions Mexico to the semi-finals, where they will face Panama on Wednesday night in Atlanta.

That is a question that is being debated feverishly following Mexico’s thrilling, but controversial 1-0 win over Costa Rica in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals in front of 74,187 at MetLife Stadium Sunday night. “We turned the match around”, Mexico coach Miguel Herrera said through a translator.

Since then under Wanchope Costa Rica has fallen to 41st in the latest Federation Internationale de Football Association rankings and has performed let’s just say “not well” in both friendly matches and now the Gold Cup.

The Mexicans, seeking their record seventh Gold Cup and third in the past four tournaments, lost 2-1 to Panama in the 2013 Gold Cup semi-finals. But goalkeeper Marvin Phillip made five saves to keep Trinidad and Tobago in it. The two teams couldn’t score in the first 120 minutes, but Mexico was awarded a penalty kick in the 121st minute, which led to a goal from Andres Guardado. Panama could have sealed the win in the last minute of the game, but star striker Blaz Perez shot wide from a superb left wing cross by Eric Davis.

The lone goal came when Sheldon Bateau’s attempted clearance in the box ricocheted off Perez and right to Tejada, who was alone in front of the goal.

Mexico arguably deserved the result after a strong showing in the second half and most of extra time.

However, based on his Gold Cup scoring, the expectations may be lowered for Vela to thrive.

TENNIS: A tearful Andy Murray celebrated taking Britain to its first Davis Cup semifinal for more than three decades, sealing an emotional 3-1 victory in London over France to line up a home series against Australia.

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) – Mexico earned chance after chance to score against Costa Rica.

Mexico looked fresh out of ideas following their near misses in regulation, and Costa Rica had the best and only goalscoring chance in extra-time but Campbell, after embarking on a mazy run, failed to beat Ochoa.

Carlos Esquivel almost put Mexico ahead in the 63th minute, but goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado got his fingertips on the ball while leaning the other way to deflect it off the crossbar.