BRADENTON, Florida – In the history of the Concacaf Under-17 Championship, there has been no shortage of dramatic finishes.
Whether it has been great comeback victories or a draw rescued at the death, the CU17 has seen it all, and the quarterfinal match-up between Costa Rica and Canada at the 2019 CU17 evokes memories of one of the most scintillating CU17 affairs in recent memory.
It was just two years ago in Panama at the 2017 CU17 that the Ticos and Canadians squared off in the first match of Group B.
Canada looked all set to open the scoring just shy of the half-hour mark, only for Costa Rica GK Ricardo Montenegro to deny Jonathan David’s effort from point-blank range.
The save gave the Central Americans the momentum, and an excellent right-footed finish from Jose Alfaro had Costa Rica up 1-0 at halftime.
The Canadians were undeterred though, and drew level 1-1 just six minutes after the re-start when Antonio Rocco Romeo soared above the Costa Rican defense and headed in a corner kick.
The two sides would continue to trade punches, but as the match drifted into second half stoppage time, all signs pointed toward a 1-1 draw and a share of the points.
But Costa Rica’s Alfaro had other ideas, and after receiving a pass amid a sea of Canadian defenders, he made a move to his left before slipping a shot under Canada GK Gianluca Catalano to score the winning goal for the Ticos in the 90+5’.
In the end, the result would prove decisive. Costa Rica advanced to the Knockout Stage of the tournament, while Canada finished third in the group, one point behind Cuba. Had the Canadians hung on for a draw, they would have advanced.
With those memories still fresh in the minds of both sets of fans, Sunday’s Costa Rica-Canada quarterfinal has all the ingredients for another memorable affair.
