Costa Rica has qualified for the World Cup. © APA / afp / KARIM JAAFAR
Costa Rica was the last national soccer team to qualify for the World Cup in Qatar at the end of the year.
14. June 2022
From: apa
The world number 31. lived up to their role as favorites on Tuesday evening in the intercontinental play-off duel with New Zealand, which is only 101st in the ranking, and won 1-0 (1-0). Joel Campbell became the match winner in Al Rayyan’s Ahmed bin Ali Stadium in the 3rd minute.
“Los Ticos” are at the finals of the World Cup for the third time in a row and for the sixth time in total. You also had the necessary luck on your side on the way there. Chris Wood was brought down in the penalty area in the 38th minute, but referee Mohammed Abdulla Hassan did not award a penalty. A minute later, the Newcastle striker scored to make it supposedly 1-1. Due to a foul play in the development of the action, however, the goal was denied after studying the TV pictures. A very tough decision.
Costa Rica fans celebrate winning the World Cup. © APA / afp / KARIM JAAFAR
In the second half, the video referee then ensured that New Zealand was excluded. Kosta Barbarouses had to leave the field in the 67th minute after hitting Francisco Calvo in the Achilles tendon area from behind. Despite the numerical inferiority, the outsider tried everything again, but was not rewarded for his efforts. Also because PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas reacted brilliantly to a shot by Clayton Lewis (76th) and Wood was subsequently unlucky in the end.
In a group with Germany
Costa Rica will be in Group E at the World Cup in Qatar in November and December respectively, where the Central Americans will face Germany, Spain and Japan. New Zealand must continue to wait for their third participation in the World Cup (last in 2010).
