Costa Rica qualify for 2022 World Cup with win over New Zealand
SMA NEWS – DOHA
Costa Rica have become the final team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup after beating New Zealand in the intercontinental play-off.
The Central American nation beat New Zealand 1-0 on Tuesday evening courtesy of Joel Campbell’s strike. The former Arsenal forward scored in the third minute of the game at the Al-Rayyan Stadium in Qatar.
New Zealand played the last 21 minutes of the game with 10 men after Kosta Barbarouses was sent off.
Costa Rica’s win means they will join Group E, alongside Germany, Japan and Spain, at this year’s competition.
They reached the play-off after entering CONCACAF qualification in the third round. They came fourth at that stage, behind Canada, Mexico and the United States, advancing to the inter-confederation play-offs.
They were matched up with New Zealand, who won Group B in OFC qualification for the tournament. New Zealand then beat Tahiti in a semi-final before a 5-0 victory over the Solomon Islands in the final in March.
Costa Rica have now reached the World Cup finals five times in their history. Their best finish came in Brazil in 2014, when they reached the quarter-finals.
