2025 Gold Cup: Costa Rica Eliminates Dominican Republic, Mexico edges Suriname
CONCACAF Giants knockout their scrappy contenders
The second group stage matches begin as Group A comes back to start their matches. We have two powerhouses against two sides from the Caribbean. What these two sides have shown is that they are ready for the challenge, as they are trying to steal or gain results to advance their programs.
COSTA RICA 2:1 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
It started very well for the Dominican Republic, as they were on the front foot and attacking, but they finally got their goal in the 16th minute. A nice pass by Edarlyn Reyes to a streaking Dorny Romero. His shot got stopped by Keylor Navas, but left a juicy rebound for Joao Urbaez to smash it home.
Late in the first half, Costa Rica got their equalizer as there was a foul inside the area. Manfred Ugalde, who converted two penalties against Suriname, converted his third of the Gold Cup in the 44th minute.
But the match winner came in the 85th minute, as Josimar Alcocer smashed it home after Ugalde sprung him into an attacking run. With five to six minutes of second half stoppage time, Costa Rica held on to advance to the Quarterfinals.
While the Dominican Republic was eliminated from reaching the Quarterfinals, they showed that they are on the way up, and they should continue their trajectory, improving their belief that they are becoming a Football island.
MEXICO 2:0 SURINAME
This was a big match once again for Suriname. The Caribbean nation had a great battle against Costa Rica, but couldn't hold on to the result. The hope is that they can show that against Mexico. In the opening half, they held El Tri, but couldn't score either.
In the 57th minute, Mexico gets a corner at the far side, and it is delivered beautifully to the middle of the area, as Cesar Montes jumps up and delivers a flick header that goes under the crossbar and toward the far corner of the net.
Their second goal came in the 62nd minute, once again it came from a corner. At the near side, the ball was delivered toward the area, and it was Montes again, as he tried a header, got blocked by a teammate, fell, and somehow, on the floor, he swung with his right boot and scored again.
Mexico once again advanced to the Quarterfinals after the full 90 minutes were up, and they beat another worthy opponent who scrapped and fought for the chance to get a result. Suriname showed their improvements in this Gold Cup, but unfortunately, couldn't get the desired results.
2025 CONCACAF GOLD CUP GROUP D:
THURSDAY, JUNE 19TH
HAITI Vs. TRINIDAD & TOBAGO 6:45 PM EDT FS1
SAUDI ARABIA Vs. USA 9:15 PM EDT FS1