Canada holds Costa Rica scoreless in 2-0 win in quarterfinals
After a successful slate of games in group stage action, Tajon Buchanan and Team Canada returned to CONCACAF Gold Cup action as they took on Costa Rica in the Quarterfinals.
The Revolution midfielder would make his 8th appearance and 5th start for the Canadian National Team after being named to Sunday’s starting XI.
The 22-year-old Brampton native played a factor in Canada’s run to the knockout stage as he bagged a total of two assists in the opening two group stage matches against Martinique and Haiti. Buchanan would also clock in 257 minutes during all three group stage matches.
Johan Venegas looked to find the opening goal in the 8th minute as he sent a shot at goal from outside the box. Alistair Johnston put his body on the line as he jumped in the ball’s path and prevented it from advancing the ball closer to Canada’s goal.
Mark-Anthony Kaye looked to find the back of the net in the 8th minute, but Francisco Calvo would deflect the ball out for a Canadian corner kick. Luis Cavallini looked to score a goal in the 10th minute, but his shot went wide for a Costa Rica goal kick.
Junior Hoilett would score his second goal of the competition in the 18th minute after chipping the keeper inside the box after getting on to the end of a bouncing ball sent from midfield by Stephen Estaquío.
Steven Vitoria looked to double Canada’s lead in the 22nd minute as he caught a volley atop the box. Costa Rica keeper Esteban Alvarado would get a hand to it and deflect the ball out for a Canadian corner.
Joel Campbell looked to find the equalizer in the 54th minute on a free kick as he sent the ball from the right side of the pitch, sailing towards the top left corner of the Canadian goal. Maxime Crepeau would leap up and get a hand to the ball before it could do any damage. The ball rolled out for a Costa Rica corner kick.
Buchanan looked to bag a goal of his own in the 55th minute, but the ball would deflect off of Ronald Matarrita and go out for a corner kick.
Estaquio would capitalize on a defensive mishap in the 69th minute and put Canada up 2-0. After the ball deflected off Calvo, the ball would roll to the penalty spot, where a darting Estaquio slotted the ball between the keeper’s legs and into the back of the net.
Buchanan looked to find the back of the net in the 80th minute as he found himself alone inside the box and driving towards the keeper on the right side. The Revolution player looked to replicate something like his goal against Philadelphia in the 2020 MLS Cup Playoffs, but unlike Andre Blake, Esteban Alvarado prevented the Canadian midfielder from scoring.
With goals from Hoilett and Estaquio, Canada secured a 2-0 victory over Costa Rica. With their win over Costa Rica in the Quarterfinals, Canada will now take on Mexico in the Semi-finals on Thursday.
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