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SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - Costa Rica virtually assured itself of returning to the final round of CONCACAF World Cup qualifying with a 1-0 victory over El Salvador on Friday, moving two points ahead of its Central American rival for the final berth from Group B with one match to play.

Jose Cubero scored in the 32nd minute and El Salvador finished the match with nine men after both Eliseo Quintanilla and Alfredo Pacheco both were ejected in the final three minutes.

The result left Costa Rica with seven points, eight behind Mexico - already assured of advancing, but two ahead of "Los Cuscatlecos". However, Costa Rica will play its final group match at home on Tuesday against winless Guyana, while El Salvador must travel to face Mexico in Torreon.

The victory was only Costa Rica's second away from home in its last six World Cup qualifiers - the other coming against Guyana in June - and Cubero's goal was its first in three qualifiers.

El Salvador lost for the fourth time at home in its last six matches, its only victory a 1-0 win over Guatemala in a friendly on August 11.

The Cuscatlecos' hopes ended when Quintanilla was ejected by U.S. referee Mark Geiger for hitting his opponent with an open hand and Pacheco followed in injury time when he jumped over an opponent, but came down and stomped on him with his cleats.