2025 Gold Cup Recaps: Mexico and Costa Rica secure quarterfinal spots
The two regional giants will face off for Group A supremacy while Suriname and the Dominican Republic are eliminated from knockout contention.
It was always going to be a tremendously difficult task for Suriname and the Dominican Republic to advance out of Group A but they can both leave the Gold Cup this weekend with their heads held high.
Costa Rica used an 85th minute winner and Mexico another flurry of corner kick opportunities to secure their second victories of the group stage and a place in the last eight.
COSTA RICA 2, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC 1
It was the Dominicans on the front foot in the early stages, when in the 16th minute Edarlyn Reyes collected a ball over the top on the left wing and sent Dorny Romero clear into goal with a centering through ball. Keylor Navas was up to the task on the initial play, but left a big rebound at the top of the six for Joao Urbaez to pounce on and give DR the opener.
Right before halftime, the Ticos would answer, after Alonso Martinez was cleaned out by defender Jimmy Kaparos in the middle of the box, Manfred Ugalde stepped up and fired home a powerful spot kick to the left hand side of goal to equalize.
Both teams had chances in the second half to go ahead, Martinez forcing Xavier Valdes in the DR net into a spectacular tip save in the 66th while Heinz Morschel fired over Navas’ goal in the 80th with a good chance, though under duress and through some contact, from the center of the box.
Just when the DR thought they were going to share the points, Costa Rica found their winner in the 85th after Costa Rica capitalized on a turnover. Ugalde slipped a pass to a cutting Josimar Alcocer who slotted home the winner. A late turning effort in the center of the box for the DR by Romero went well wide and the Ticos secured their spot in the next round.
A tremendously even game by all metrics, 50/50 possession, a 6-5 edge in corners for the Dominicans, four saves for each keeper, and even the total shooting numbers (CRC 6 for 13 / DOM 5 for 15) reflect a second strong effort for the debutants from DR despite their second loss.
MEXICO 2, SURINAME 0
A second half double from Cesar Montes in a six minute span gave Mexico their second straight win in Group A.
Mexico tried their set piece routine early and nearly got another goal from Edson Alvarez in the opening minutes though his header was off the mark. Denzel Jubitana for Suriname forced a fingertip save out of a diving Angel Malagon in the 12th minute with a long range shot as the bright start to the first half gave away to a rather tepid final 15-20 minutes before the halftime whistle.
That was when El Tri flexed their muscle, as an unmarked Montes tucked away a header from a Alexis Vega corner from eight yards out for the opener. A few minutes later, Vega again found Montes, though this time his header was blocked…only for a sprawled out Montes to stab home the second effort from a prone position at the top of the six.
Mexico did not need more offense, but had a third flagged out for offside in the 75th minute with two substitutes nearly combined for a wonderful clincher. Angel Sepulveda however was a half step off before he found Cesar Huerta wide open in the center off the box to wipe out the tidy finish.
These were officially Montes’ second and third goals of the tournament though he knew nothing of the first goal against the DR a few days ago when Alvarez headed one in off his back. Four of Mexico’s five goals so far this tournament have come from corners.
GROUP OVERVIEW
The top two are set we just have to figure out who will top the group. Costa Rica will need a win to top the group as Mexico has the goal difference tiebreaker. The DR-Suriname matchup should still be plenty exciting as those two teams have one more opportunity to play another highly competitive game.
Group A will have the nightcap games at 10 PM EDT on Sunday June 22, with Mexico-Costa Rica from Las Vegas on FS1 and Suriname-Dominican Republic from Arlington on FS2.