As the Gold Cup moves into its business end, Canada clinched the top spot to ensure that they go through to the quarter finals with their confidence level at an all-time high. After beating Jamaica and El Salvador in their first two group games, the Canadians had all but secured their place in the quarter finals with their final group game against Costa Rica being nothing but a formality. 
The Costa Ricans held on for a 2-2 draw on Friday night to also go through as runners up after a win, a loss and a draw to show for their efforts in the group stage. Jamaica’s win over El Salvador ensured that Costa Rica went through without any issues.
“It was a well-played match,” said Rodrigo Kenton, the Costa Rican coach. “We got careless for a 10-minute period, but overall both teams played well.
“Congratulations to Canada.”
Costa Rica did get a chance late-on to break the deadlock with just 15 minutes to go but Celso Borges’s effort was blocked off the line by Jamie Peter at the left post. Costa Rica were pushing for the winner as Walter Centeno’s header went marginally over the crossbar just eight minutes later. 
“I thought the guys played their hearts out,” Canada defender Andrew Hainault said. “We’re happy with the result. To come out first in the group, nobody expected us to do this.”
The action began in the 22nd minute when Andy Herron gave Costa Rica the lead. A goal kick was knocked on Armando Alonso into the path of an open Herron who went on unchallenged into the Canadian penalty area and placed it past an oncoming Sutton in the Canadian goal.
Canada’s response was swift and smooth.
A minute later, Patrice Bernier fired in from 6-yards to beat Ricardo Gonzalez before Marcel De Jong picked up a loose ball 30-yards from goal and let it rip from 25.
Seven minutes later, Centeno would complete an eventful first half with a brilliant freekick.