Costa Rica vs Canada

Costa Rica and Canada go head-to-head at the AT&T Stadium, with a place in the 2021 CONCACAF Gold Cup semi-finals on the line.

Costa Rica won all three group stage fixtures by an aggregate score of 6-2 to finish top of Group C and progress into the Gold Cup knock-outs for the 12th tournament in a row. Costa Rica’s Gold Cup form represents a significant turnaround on their pre-tournament showings. Luis Fernando Suárez’s side had failed to win 11 consecutive international games heading into the competition (D3, L8). However, overcoming Canada could be a daunting prospect for ‘Los Ticos’ as they’ve picked up just one triumph in their previous eight Gold Cup H2H meetings (D5, L2). Low scoring has been a common theme in their recent international duels, considering each of the last three featured under 2.5 total goals, friendlies included. If they find the net here, it’s likely to be beyond half-time as four of their six Gold Cup goals scored this summer came past the 50th minute.

On the other hand, a narrow 1-0 loss to the United States on Matchday 3 saw Canada finish runners-up in Group B, having won their previous two group stage matches by the identical 4-1 scoreline. Quick out of the blocks, the ‘Canucks’ have churned out 50% of their Gold Cup goals scored so far within the opening 26 minutes of play (4/8). John Herdman’s men have now reached the Gold Cup knock-out stages for the third tournament running. Worryingly, though, all of Canada’s last three Gold Cup quarter-final appearances have seen them bow out of the competition, losing by a single-goal margin on each occasion. Yet, Canada can draw confidence from winning eight successive international fixtures prior to the abovementioned defeat to the USA.