Gold Cup: Costa Rica beats Jamaica 1-0 to top Group C, Panama beats Grenada 3-1 to close out Group D
ORLANDO – The Gold Cup play continued in Orlando on Tuesday night as Costa Rica defeated Jamaica 1-0 at Exploria Stadium in Orlando. The game managed to get to the three minute mark when the skies opened up and started a two hour rain delay at the stadium.
Once play resumed, the two teams worked to find themselves in the first half, with Jamaica having many chances to score.
In the 13th minute, Kamar Lawrence received a brilliant cross in the area and delivered it just wide to the right of the goal, missing out on a definite score.
The was a had ball called on Costa Rica in the 25th minute, where the ensuing free kick was sailed over the bar, keeping the score 0-0 in the first half.
The second half was a different game. Costa Rica came out with aggression.
In the 53rd minute, Brian Ruiz head a cross from Ariel Lassiter into the net for the only score of the match.
In the 71st minute, Costa Rica made a horrible back pass, causing Leonel Moreira to have to charge forward out of the box and trying to stop a score boiled the ball with his had. This resulted in an immediate RED card and him being sent off.
The Ticos were down to 10 men and needed another keeper to come in, but held on for the win and the top spot in Group C.
Costa Rica will move on to play Canada, while Jamaice will face the USA.
Panama vs Grenada
In the late night cap (11:30pm start), Panama managed to beat Grenada 3-1 in their match for 3rd and 4th place in Group D.
Panama started the scoring off in the seventh minute as Alberto Quiniero took a pass from midfield into open space in the area and put it into the left corner to open the scoring.
In the 27th minute, Jose Rodriguez takes an open ball from the left side and slides it past the gaol keeper for Panama’s second goal.
In stoppage time, Graneda had a chance when Regan Charles put a strong curling shot out, but was saved by goal keeper Jose Calderon.
In the second half, Panama’s Rodriguez found the back of the net from the right side for a brace in the 64th minute.
Grenada finally scored in the 76th minute with a goal by Romar Frank who got behind the defense and managed to get one in. It was their first goal of the tournament.
The Quarterfinal round of the Gold Cup starts on Saturday July 24th.
