Canadian soccer team’s bid for World Cup qualification put on hold in Costa Rica
Global News
Canada's bid to seal World Cup qualification was put on hold Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica.
Canada’s bid to seal World Cup qualification was put on hold Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica that saw the Canadians play a man down for almost two-thirds of the match.
It was the Canadian men’s first defeat in 18 qualifying matches (13-1-4), snapping a six-game win streak.
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There was plenty of drama through the evening, with 10-man Canada charging hard in the second half, the Costa Ricans hanging on and other results coming into play.
Honduras drew 1-1 at Panama, meaning a Canadian tie would still have earned qualification. And the Canadians could booked their ticket to Qatar 2022 had Mexico beaten the U.S. but it ended up a 0-0 draw in Mexico City.
Now the focus turns to Toronto’s BMO Field on Sunday when Canada hosts Panama in its penultimate qualifier. Then it’s off to Panama for the finale next Wednesday.
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Veteran midfielder Celso Borges put No. 42 Costa Rica ahead in first-half stoppage time after Canada, which had had trouble defending set pieces, was unable to clear a free kick. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan punched the ball away but it went to Costa Rica’s Gerson Torres and three passes later it was in the net as Borges rose above Stephen Eustaquio to head home a Torres cross.