Costa Rica clinches World Cup spot
Costa Rica has completed a 32-nation World Cup lineup by beating New Zealand 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff.
Costa Rica relied on its core of veterans. It defended a third-minute goal from Joel Campbell and relied on saves from goalkeeper and captain Keylor Navas.
New Zealand created more scoring chances even with 10 men for the last 25 minutes. Two key decisions after video review went against New Zealand. They canceled out a possible equalizing goal by Chris
Wood and ensured a red card for a foul by Kosta Barbarouses.
Costa Rica goes into Group E facing Spain, Japan and Germany. The win qualified Costa Rica, the 2014 quarterfinalist, for its third straight World Cup and sent New Zealand to a third straight failure in the final qualifying test.
U.S. 1, at El Salvador 1: Jordan Morris came off the bench to score as the United States came from behind to draw with El Salvador in the CONCACAF Nations League on a muddy, waterlogged pitch at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador. U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter made seven changes from last weekend’s 5-0 rout of No. 170 Grenada.
Mexico 1, at Jamaica 1: Mexico was held to a draw against Jamaica on a rainy night at Independence Park in Kingston, Jamaica, in the CONCACAF Nations League. Jamaica took an early lead in the fourth minute when Aston Villa forward Leon Bailey split two Mexico defenders and powered a header from Shamar Nicholson’s cross into the back of the net.