Costa Rica escape at Under-20 World Cup, USA eliminated

Costa Rica lost their final World Youth Championship group match 2-3 to the Czech Republic, but advance as one of the best numbers three.

Jan Chramosta put the Czechs in the lead after 11 minutes but fans at Alexandria stadium then witnessed a Costa Rican turn-around.

Diego Estrada converted a penalty in the 49th minute, and Josue Martinez made it 2-1 a minute after the hour.

The lead wouldn’t survive though as Jan Vosahlik equalized in the 77th minute and Chramosta scored his second of the night for 2-3 with four minutes to go.

The Czechs finish second in Group E, behind Brazil. Costa Rica are third with three points and a 5-8 goal record. This makes them the fourth-best number three, with the USA as biggest victims. The Americans have three points and a 4-7 goal record.