- Costa Rica beat New Zealand 1-0 to qualify for the 2022 World Cup.
- Joel Campbell’s early goal made the difference
- Costa Rica will slot into Group E with Spain, Germany and Japan
- 31st- ranked Costa Rica reach third consecutive World Cup
- 101 ranked New Zealand gave a gutsy performance, dominating possession
It’s a wrap
Thankyou all for joining us on this qualification journey that has now reached it’s end.
We now know all 32 teams that will take part in this year’s World Cup that kicks off on November 21.
Do give our Costa Rica vs New Zealand match report a read here.
Until next time, then.
New Zealand went down fighting
“It is heartbreaking to come so close and lose,” New Zealand fan Nico Smith told Al Jazeera after the final whistle.
“Reaching the World Cup is a dream. I think New Zealand, after conceding early, did really recover well. However, I am still very proud of this young team of this team and will continue to get my support.”
Costa Rican fans are overjoyed
“That was an exhilarating win,” Costa Rica supporter Andre Reid told Al Jazeera as the fans celebrated the historical moment.
“It’s amazing to go to the World Cup again. I felt very nervous during the game. People were sweating and biting their nails. There will be a huge party in Costa Rica right now. I don’t think anyone will go to work tomorrow.”
Some New Zealanders feel disallowed goal should have stood
Based on the New Zealander’s performance, not many would have guessed that they are ranked 101 in the World as they 15 shots in the game compared to Costa Rica’s four.
Very frustrating climax for the All Whites as they lose 1-0 to Costa Rica and fail to qualify for the World Cup. Will feel hard done by with the goal ruled out by VAR as they were evenly matched and deserved to be heading to ET. Chris Wood MOTM. Such a physical presence up top.
— Phillip Rollo (@ByPhillipRollo) June 14, 2022
All Whites have come a long way under Danny Hay.
Terrific effort lads despite some poor officiating.
— Sullivan Harnett (@SullivanHarnett) June 14, 2022
Costa Rica face tough Group
The result means that Costa Rica have become the 32nd and final team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. They will feature in Group E alongside Spain, Germany and Japan.
You can find out more about the qualified teams here.
Celebrations underway
The Costa Rican players are ecstatic after reaching their third consecutive World Cup. They will celebrate tonight and thereafter set their focus on replicating or even bettering their quarter-final appearance at the 2014 World Cup.
90+6 mins
Costa Rica have done it
The full-time score is 1-0 and Costa Rica have advanced to the 2022 World Cup.
It was a valiant effort from New Zealand who had a goal disallowed in the first half and dominated possession. In the end, it is Joel Campbell’s goal together with brilliant goalkeeping from Navas that makes the difference for Costa Rica.
𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑾𝒐𝒓𝒍𝒅 𝑪𝒖𝒑 𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 📞 @fedefutbolcrc have secured the final spot at #Qatar2022! 🤩 pic.twitter.com/5rWKNEpkyK
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
90 mins
Credit to Waston
Since coming on in the second half, Waston has added significant defensive reinforcement to the Costa Rican side, preventing the New Zealand attackers and particularly Wood from getting opportunities to score in good areas.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
86 mins
New Zealand subdued
Costa Rican fans are drowning out any cheering Kiwis who are simply outnumbered. Some Kiwi fans were also seen leaving the stadium. The Ticos, however, cheer every time their players touch the ball, with a large jubilant roar coming after Kosta Barbarouses was sent off – Usaid Siddiqui at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
81 mins
New Zealand still fighting
Despite their technical limitations and being reduced to ten men, New Zealand are still giving their all. Wood shoots from a difficult position, forcing a comfortable save from Navas. The All Whites have had 66% ball possession in this game.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
76 mins
Spectacular save from Navas
Navas shows why he is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world as he produces a spectacular diving save to deny Lewis who sent in a powerful shot from range. This has to go down as the most eye-catching moment of the night so far.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
72 mins
New Zealand’s defence has opened up
Costa Rica only had one shot on target in the first half but the number has since increased to three.
New Zealand have no choice but to throw more men up front with ten men. This could leave their goal more open.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
67 mins
New Zealand down to ten men
Barbarouses is sent off following a mistimed challenge which left Calvo in pain. After an initial yellow card, a VAR check resulted in the decision changing to a red card.
New Zealand are now down to ten men and face an uphill battle to mount a comeback.
67' 🟥 The yellow card is referred to VAR who rescind it and issue a red instead. Gutting.
Down to 10 men in Doha. https://t.co/vljp13xpBm
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 14, 2022
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
60 mins
New Zealand make a double change
With 30 minutes remaining, New Zealand are looking to inject some fresh energy into their attack.
They make two changes as Waine and Barbarouses are on for Garbett and Greive.
60' 🔄 Double substitution as Ben Waine and Kosta Barbarouses come on to replace Matt Garbett and Alex Greive. #NZLvCOS 🇳🇿 0 – 1 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/VMryljUeXO
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 14, 2022
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
55 mins
New Zealand must look for changes
Chris Wood has had a couple of chances and come close but failed to convert any. The All Whites need to give the Newcastle United striker more support in attack if they want to mount a comeback.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
50 mins
The New Zealand goalkeeper has not had much to do
Even though he conceded in the third minute, New Zealand keeper Oli Sail has seen little of the ball with only one of Costa Rica’s two shots being on target. He will hope his defence can remain tight for the remainder of the game.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
45 mins
Second half underway
Costa Rica have made three changes as Ruiz, Martinez and Waston are brought in. Out are Torres, Fuller and Bennette.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
Expect an exciting second half
New Zealand have dominated possession but Costa Rica have shown that they can punish any haphazard defending as they did when Campbell gave them the lead in the third minute. Apart from the goals column, New Zealand have been better according to the other metrics. They have made over 300 passes with Costa Rica’s passes still totalling under 200.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
Costa Rica fans jubilant at half time
Confidence levels in the Costa Rican camp and their part of the crowd seem to be much higher after being up 1-0 at half time.
Fans of the Central American nation are seen singing and cheering even as they waited at the food stalls to pick up a quick snack.
One Ticos supporter told Al Jazeera the game was going “exactly as we wanted it to be” and hoping more goals will come from their side.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
45+3 mins
Costa Rica lead at the break
Costa Rica lead at the break after a good start but this contest is far from over. New Zealand have had 69% ball possession so far and nine shots. There is little doubt that the All Whites will have more shots in the second half. Costa Rica will hope for a better attacking display after they only had one shot in the opening 45 minutes.
We have dominated shots, possession and had a goal overruled by VAR but we go in one down at the break.
Big 45 to come. #NZLvCOS 🇳🇿 0 – 1 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/q3WD0Cyc9L
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 14, 2022
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
44 mins
New Zealand fans continue to hope
New Zealand have created more of the chances so far and even though the score does not suggest it, they have been the better side. Their fans continue to dream of a first World Cup appearance since 2010.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
39 mins
Wood goal ruled out
Wood tucks the ball home neatly after finding himself on the receiving end of a cross from Garbett. Costa Rica protest and the referee goes to review the footage. The goal is ruled out after Garbett is judged to have fould Duarte before crossing.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
36 mins
NZ penalty appeal declined
Wood appeals for a penalty after controlling the ball with his chest and falling down after Contreras makes contact with him. No spot kick is given
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
31 min
Costa Rica have their first corner
Not many would have expected it to take this long for the Concacaf nation to have their first corner. Campbell swings it in but Tuiloma produces a good clearance to avert the danger for New Zealand.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
26 mins
Costa Rica showing NZ respect
Despite being a stronger team on paper, Costa Rica are clearly showing respect to the opposition as they are tracking back in high numbers whenever New Zealand attack.
Tuiloma tries a shot from range for New Zealand but his effort is blocked.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
21 mins
New Zealand still in it
New Zealand have had 63% ball possession so far and five shots at goal. The opening 20 minutes have been entertaining thus far. Costa Rica have only had one shot at goal so far which gave them the lead.
Some big chances so far. We may be one down but we've had more shots and more possession. #NZLvCOS 🇳🇿 0 – 1 🇨🇷 | @PhotosportNZ pic.twitter.com/MiMVWMRtPv
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 14, 2022
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
16 mins
Costa Rica under fire
Since the opening goal, it’s been New Zealand who have been doing the most attacking. Bell picked out the New Zealand dangerman Wood who fires a composed shot on target. Navas fumbles the ball at first before then composing himself again and his defence just about get the ball away.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
11 mins
Chance for New Zealand
New Zealand may be 70 places behind Costa Rica in the FIFA rankings but they are fighting so far.
They have their first chance of the game as Wood produces a shrewd header into the path of Greive who sends his shot narrowly wide.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
7 mins
Massive cheers as Costa Rica score
The stadium erupted after Joel Cambell opened the scoring early on.
Hugs, high-fives and plenty of smiles seen all around in the stands. “Ole Ole Ole Ole Ticos,” is all one can hear as people jump up and down. – Usaid Siddiqui at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
2 mins
Goal for Costa Rica
With their first attack of the game, Costa Rica take the lead. Bennette provided a low cross from out wide and Campbell timed his run to perfection to tuck the ball home.
Things have just got harder for the All Whites.
Costa Rica 1-0 New Zealand
𝑵𝒐 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒅 💥
An electric start for @fedefutbolcrc thanks to Joel Campbell's early goal! 🇨🇷 pic.twitter.com/nMsOZXGh6g
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
1 min
We are underway
New Zealand have lined up in a 3-1-4-2 formation while Costa Rica are using a 4-2-3-1 gameplan.
31 World Cup places are confirmed. The last one will be confirmed tonight.
Costa Rica 0-0 New Zealand
Marko’s mother ‘excited and nervous’
Usaid, our man at the ground, spoke to the parents of New Zealand midfielder Marko Staminic, whose mother said she is “excited and nervous”.
Kalala Staminic flew in with her husband from Wellington, together with other family members to attend today’s playoff. Her spouse said the family was “very optimistic” about the team winning tonight.
Marko is one of the substitutes for New Zealand for tonight’s game.
Costa Rica goalkeeper Navas will be hard to beat
With three UEFA Champions League and two French Ligue 1 titles to his name, Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas is considered to be one of the best in the business in his position.
The New Zealand attackers could face a difficult task to breach the veteran’s goal line.
Not long to go. @NavasKeylor is ready! Are you?
Who will grab the final spot at the World Cup? 🏆 @fedefutbolcrc 🇨🇷 | @NZ_Football 🇳🇿 pic.twitter.com/lU4n7vNvg7
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
Campbell and Wood will eye goals
29-year-old Joel Campbell is one of Costa Rica’s biggest goal threats with 110 international appearances under his belt and 24 goals to his name. Wood is a New Zealand’s all-time top scorer with 33 goals under his belt. The Newcastle United man is widely considered to be the best goal machine to have come out of his country. Both players will be relied upon tonight to produce the goods for their nations.
Who are you backing to score and grab the last #FIFAWorldCup ticket? 👀
Joel Campbell or Chris Wood? pic.twitter.com/tQ4kg5pyDH
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
New Zealand assistant coach aiming for second World Cup
Current New Zealand assistant coach Rory Fallon was a player when New Zealand played at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The 40-year-old will be in line to go to a second World Cup if the All Whites win tonight.
Fallon’s former club Plymouth Argyle wish him the best.
🏆 Good luck to Rory Fallon and his @NZ_Football side tonight.
They take on Costa Rica at 7pm for a place at the #FIFAWorldCup 2022 🌍#pafc pic.twitter.com/sCzUup7FCD
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@argyle) June 14, 2022
‘Need to be careful’, Costa Rican fan warns
At the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Manuel Escobar fancies Costa Rica’s chances tonight.
“They need to give it their 100 percent. They need to be very careful,” Escobar told Al Jazeera. “Peru thought it would be an easy game [yesterday] against a lower-ranked team, and let their guard down.”
Escobar’s son Gianluca, 10, said the team really needs to “know their positions and passes”.
The family of four came to Doha from the Costa Rica capital San Jose just for the playoff.
“We love football,” Escobar said.
“Which Costa Rican doesn’t?” his son chirped.
Auckland City send well wishes to NZ
The New Zealand Premiership’s most successful team, Auckland City have sent in their well wishes to the All Whites. Interestingly, there are no Auckland City players in New Zealand’s lineup for today’s crucial game.
⚽️ ONE LAST PUSH!
Best wishes to the #AllWhites from everyone at Auckland City FC as you take on Costa Rica for the final place @FIFAWorldCup in Qatar!!! #StrengthInUnity
🇳🇿💙⚪️ pic.twitter.com/aLsXQYrdl7
— Auckland City FC (@AucklandCity_FC) June 14, 2022
Lineups are out
New Zealand: Sail, Pijnaker, Reid, Tuiloma, Cacace, Kirwan, Bell, Lewis, Garbett, Greive, Wood
Costa Rica: Navas, Fuller, Duarte, Calvo, Oviedo, Tejeda, Borges, Campbell, Bennette, Torres, Contreras
Get ready
We are less than an hour away before kickoff. We will know who is the 32nd and final team at the 2022 World Cup in a matter of hours.
There's one final World Cup spot up for grabs!
Who will take it? @fedefutbolcrc 🇨🇷 or @NZ_Football 🇳🇿?
⤵️ Watch tonight's game LIVE on FIFA+
*In selected regions, check your local listings
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
Costa Rican fans taking over the stadium
Thousands of Costa Rican fans have descended on to the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium to cheer for their national team. They are singing and dancing. Fans draped in the Costa Rica flags were seen taking pictures with family members, friends and locals, while blowing trumpets and playing the drums. In comparison, it is difficult to pick out any New Zealand supporters outside or inside the stadium (much like yesterday but then we all remember who had the last laugh) – Usaid Siddiqui at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium.
Final World Cup spot up for grabs
New Zealand and Costa Rica will fight it out for the final World Cup 2022 spot in Doha in what will be the last match of the extended qualifying campaign for the 2022 World Cup that kicks off in November.
Costa Rica are ranked 31 while New Zealand sit at 101 in the FIFA rankings.
Read our match preview here.
Reaching third World Cup ‘an obsession’
Should Costa Rica qualify for the 2022 World Cup, it will be coach Luis Fernando Suarez’s third appearance at the World Cup and first with Costa Rica.
He was with Ecuador at the 2006 World Cup and Honduras in 2014.
“The word I’ve used most in all these interviews over the last few days is ‘obsession’, a word that’s sometimes frowned upon. I don’t see it like that. There are good obsessions. And my third World Cup is an obsession for me,” said Suarez.
Can @fedefutbolcrc 🇨🇷 secure the final spot at the World Cup?
⤵️ In an interview with FIFA+, head coach Luis Fernando Suarez has revealed that he has a special note on his fridge door reminding him of the challenge ahead
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) June 14, 2022
Message for Costa Rica
Former Costa Rica winger Harold Wallace has sent a strong message to the current players.
“This jersey isn’t for everyone, so if you’re not ready to defend these colours please hand it over to someone who is willing to die for the country,” said Wallace who described playing at the 2018 World Cup as being one of the greatest moments of his career.
“Everything that I had worked for within the game of soccer had all come down to this one moment. When the Costa Rica national anthem began to play, I couldn’t hold back tears of joy – that’s how much it means, especially on the World Cup stage,” he said.
‘Don’t die wondering’
New Zealand football legend Ryan Nelson has encouraged the All Whites to “give it their all”.
“One shot for glory is just awesome. You can’t get through a game like this on your own. You need your team-mates. Only you as a player know if you’ve given everything. Make sure that you can look at the mirror and know that you’ve given everything,” said Nelson, who helped New Zealand qualify for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Former All Whites captain Ryan Nelsen has a message for the current squad ahead of their match against Costa Rica.
🎥 | @skysportnz pic.twitter.com/BB5d4j49Lj
— New Zealand Football (@NZ_Football) June 14, 2022
