Sport

Costa Rica defeat New Zealand to clinch final Qatar 2022 World Cup slot

Costa Rica was outplayed by New Zealand in their World Cup inter-confederation play-off on Tuesday, but held on to a 1-0 lead to qualify for Qatar 2022.

Joel Campbell scored the game-winning goal after just three minutes in a winner-takes-all encounter between the fourth-placed team in CONCACAF qualification and the OFC stage champions.

The ex-Arsenal striker bundled a first-time finish past Oli Sail after squeezing between two New Zealand defenders. Rather than pave the way for a straightforward Costa Rica victory, that goal signalled the start of a protracted back-to-the-wall battle by the All Whites.

After the interval, a VAR review upgraded substitute Kosta Barbarouses’ lunge on Francisco Calvo from a yellow to a red card, leaving New Zealand with a mountain to climb. Yet, they maintained control of the game but were unable to score the equaliser that would have denied Costa Rica a place in Qatar.

Los Ticos, who are competing in their sixth World Cup and third in a row, will kick off their campaign against Spain on November 23 in Doha.

Idoko Dennis

Idoko Dennis is a creative videographer/drone pilot and sport writer. He heads the sport desk and deputizes the head of Idoma TV

Recent Posts

Latest update on fuel price hike, fuel scarcity for November 22nd, 2024

As Nigerians express their frustrations over the recent fuel price hikes by the Nigerian National…

1 hour ago

Full List of 80,000 delisted companies published by CAC

The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has officially removed companies that failed to file their annual…

1 hour ago

Amended NDLEA Act: Senate approves life imprisonment for drug traffickers, rejects death penalty

The Senate on Thursday agreed with the House of Representatives' recommendation to replace the death…

2 hours ago

Monday Odigie steps down as Bendel Insurance coach

Monday Odigie, the coach of Bendel Insurance Football Club of Benin, has resigned from his…

2 hours ago

Lewandowski reflects on missed Manchester United transfer

Robert Lewandowski has reflected on the time he nearly joined Manchester United in 2012, only…

3 hours ago

Okoye reflects on Super Eagles return after two years

Maduka Okoye has reflected on his first appearance for the Super Eagles in two years.…

3 hours ago