Mexico vs. Costa Rica: Watch Live Stream Online of World Cup Qualifier; Prediciton, Probable Lineups, Preview
When and where: The World Cup qualifier kicks-off from Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica in San Jose at 10 p.m. ET. Coverage will be provided by Telemundo, with a live stream on Telmundo.com.
Preview: Mexico resume their World Cup qualifying campaign with their country's soccer still riding a high from taking home Olympic gold this summer.
The future looks bright for El Tri as Olympic success followed in the footsteps of claiming the title at this year's prestigious Toulon youth tournament and at last year's Under-17 World Cup. Hopes for the current senior side were dented somewhat by losing at home to the United States for the first time ever last month, but to an extent that was a freak result in a match largely controlled by Mexico.
One of the culprits for that defeat was Mexican favorite Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez. The Manchester United striker missed a number of chances at the Azteca and is still short of his best form for both club and country.
The Mexican side that lost to the U.S. will be boosted against Costa Rica by the return of several players from the gold-medal winning team. The impressive Jose Corona looks set to start in goal, while the experienced Carlos Salcido will add solidity in the heart of midfield and the exiting Javier Aquino should provide a threat from out wide. Key performer Giovani Dos Santos will miss the game through injury, however.
On paper, a trip to Costa Rica should provide Mexico with their toughest test at this stage of qualification. Los Ticos currently sit second to Mexico in Group B, with both sides fancied to make the final qualification round next year.
The Costa Rica side is likely to feature two players with Premier League connections. The attack will be led by striker Joel Campbell, who was signed by Arsenal last summer but will spend his second season in Spain die to problems attaining a work permit. At the back is likely to be new Everton signing Bryan Oviedo. There could be a third player from England, but skillful Fulham attacker Bryan Ruiz is struggling with injury and is a doubt to make the starting lineup.
Costa Rica (Probable)
G: Navas
D: Miller, Gonzalez, Salvatierra, Oviedo
M: Barrantes, Rojas, Cubero, Castillo
F: Saborio, Campbell
Mexico (probable)
G: Corona
D: Nilo, Moreno, Rodriguez, Meza
M: Aquino, Torrado, Salcido, Guardado, Reyna
F: Hernandez
Prediction: Mexico should be motivated by the knowledge that if they can take six points from two back-to-back games with Costa Rica then they will earn early progress to the final round of qualifying. Yet at home Costa Rica should provide strong opposition, but El Tri could well edge a close encounter.
Costa Rica 1-2 Mexico
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