Costa Rica concluded their 2018 FIFA World Cup campaign on Wednesday with a spirited 2-2 draw against Switzerland in Nizhny Novgorod.
The Ticos, already eliminated from advancing out of group play following two losses in their first two games, largely controlled the run of play against Switzerland but were unfortunate to go down 1-0 before halftime, as former Montreal Impact midfielder Blerim Dzemaili’s emphatic blast put the European side ahead.
But Costa Rica didn’t give up, and found a reward 10 minutes into the second half, as Vancouver Whitecaps FC defender Kendall Waston scored the Ticos‘ first goal of the tournament on a header off a corner kick.
Kendall Waston scores Costa Rica’s first goal of this FIFA World Cup!
Los Ticos are now level with Switzerland 1-1. pic.twitter.com/yb5vT5CfUl
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 27, 2018
Switzerland thought they had the last laugh, as Josip Drmic came off the bench to hit a late goal, but Bryan Ruiz scored an even later penalty, deep in second-half stoppage time, to clinch a result for Costa Rica.
Costa Rica head coach Oscar Ramirez opted to make three changes to the starting lineup for this match, starting Waston and dropping LAFC forward Marco Ureña to the bench, as well as Minnesota United’s Johan Venegas, currently out on loan at Saprissa. Portland Timbers midfielder David Guzman retained his spot in the starting lineup, and NYCFC’s Rodney Wallace came off the bench in the 81st minute.
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