Over the last couple of years, Costa Rica has been enjoying football prestige at the highest level. First we had the honor of hosting the 2014 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup, an event that was praised by sports media outlets and FIFA officials for its level of organization. A few months later, the National Men’s Football Team of Costa Rica (La Sele) delivered a surprising and electric performance at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

Then it was up to the National Women’s Football Team of Costa Rica (Las Ticas) to elicit national pride as they gained entry to their very first World Cup, which will be played in Canada in a few months. Football fans in Costa Rica now have yet another reason to celebrate as the National Men’s Beach Football Team (La Sele de Playa) is headed to Portugal later this year to participate in a FIFA World Cup.

In an electrifying match played in El Salvador, Costa Rica came up victorious with a score of 2-1, which was enough to secure a ticket for the World Cup. It was not an easy match for the Tico beach football players, who are not used to playing on a Good Friday. To make matters even more difficult, they played against a home team that has played the last four World Cups while Costa Rica has only been to a previous tournament.

The first goal by La Sele de Playa was an acrobatic bycicle kick by Deyver Villegas at the 14-minute mark. Less than ten minutes later, El Salvador tied the game with a long-distance rocket. Seven minutes before the end of the match, however, Greivin Pacheco scored with a trick shot on goal.

Mexico is the other CONCACAF team that will travel to Portugal. It so happens that Mexico also filed a complaint against Costa Rica and Guatemala over alleged match rigging, which is being investigated.