Costa Rica secured the 6 points in the first two games of the hex stage of CONCACAF Russia World Cup 2018. La Sele playing at home, defeated the U.S. MNT 4-0.

The first 45 minutes of the game were full of action from the moment the whistle announced the beginning of the match, Costa Rica came out aggressive but disorganized, lacking the control that we saw in the match against Trinidad & Tobago last Friday. Costa Rica had 5 opportunities to score but could not materialize; it was in the minute 43’ when Johan Venegas managed a header goal after a center by Cristian Bolaños. The U.S. MNT had one clear opportunity to score during the first half but Keylor Navas was able to defend the arch. At the end of the first half Costa Rica was ahead 1-0

The second half started out with a completely different rhythm, the U.S. team came out attacking a lot more; both teams missed several opportunities to score in the first few minutes of the game, but the match took another twist in the minute 68 when just after head coach Oscar Ramirez made two changes in the lineup, (in went Joel Campbell in exchange for Venegas and Yeltsin Tejeda in exchange for ), Bryan Ruiz served a beautiful center to Cristian Bolaños who didn’t waste the opportunity to put Costa Rica ahead 2-0; this marked the moment in which the US team started falling apart; in minute 73’ Joel Campbell took advantage of the defensive error of the US team, alone against goalie Brad Guzan scored the third goal, an inspired Campbell in a very similar play just 4 minutes later made the score a 4-0. The Costa Rica National Stadium was roaring in excitement.

Mexico and Panama had a 0-0 draw, a result that also helps Costa Rica’s cause in their way to Russia World Cup 2018.

The next qualifying match for La Sele is scheduled for March 23 when they go on the road to face Mexico.