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.
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