Costa Rica's Joel Campbell (left) challenges Sergei Petrov of host Russia during their international friendly on October 9, 2016, in Krasnodar. (Photo courtesy of Football Union of Russia)
KRASNODAR, Russia – Joel Campbell converted a penalty kick in the second minute of second-half stoppage time and visiting Costa Rica earned a 4-3 victory over Russia in a thrilling international friendly on Sunday at Kuban Stadium.
The result extended the Central American champion’s winning streak to four games, scoring three goals or more in three of those outings.
Costa Rica jumped out to a 2-0 lead with Randall Azofeifa and Bryan Ruiz both striking from outside the box in the 22nd and 29th minutes, respectively.
Aleksandr Samedov halved the deficit in the 31st minute with a diving header at the right post, before Costa Rica’s two-goal advantage was restored in the second minute of first-half stoppage time on Vasili Berezutski’s own-goal off a Johnny Acosta cross from the right.
The host, however, stormed back after the break to equalize.
Artem Dzyuba netted the first of his two straight goals in the 48th minute from seven-yards out and then beat goalkeeper Keylor Navas with a header from the left edge of the six-yard box 13 minutes later.
As time elapsed, Campbell was fouled by Berezutski in the area. Without hesitation, the Sporting Lisbon standout fired into the lower-left corner of the net from the spot with his left foot.
Costa Rica returns to action on November 11 with a visit to Trinidad & Tobago in the CONCACAF Hexagonal opener for each.
International Friendly
October 9, 2016: Krasnodar Stadium – Krasnodar, Russia (Att: 34,200)
Russia-Costa Rica 3-4 (0-3)
Aleksandr Samedov 31’; Artem Dzyuba 48’, 61’ / Randall Azofeifa 22’; Bryan Ruiz 29’; own-goal, Vasili Berezutski 45’+2’; Joel Campbell 90’+2 pen
Russia: Soslan Dzhanaev; Sergei Petrov, Ilya Kutepov, Vasili Berezutsky, Igor Smolnikov, Yury Gazinsky, Roman Zobnim, Oleg Shatov (Dmitri Poloz 56’), Aleksandr Samedov, Alexandr Erokhin (Yury Zhirkov 82’), Artem Dzyuba (Maksim Kanunnikov 89’). Head Coach: Stanislav Cherchesov .
Costa Rica: Keylor Navas; Giancarlo Gonzalez, Francisco Calvo, Johnny Acosta (Kendall Waston 69’), Jose Salvatierra, Ronald Matarrita (Bryan Oviedo 75’), Randall Azofeifa (Yeltsin Tejeda 66’), Celso Borges (David Guzman 79’), Johan Venegas, Bryan Ruiz (Joel Campbell 69’), Marco Ureña (Rodney Wallace 69’). Head Coach: Oscar Ramirez
R: Ravshan Irmatov (Uzbekistan); АR1: Abduxamidullo Rasulov (Uzbekistan); AR2: Jakhongir Saidov (Uzbekistan)
