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Costa Rica Snatch Gold Cup Win With Late Penalty

With the baking sun of a sweltering San Diego day in Southern California giving way to a cool evening, Costa Rica went from red hot to freezing cold as they threw away their lead and had to battle back to win with 10 men and a penalty more than 10 minutes into added time.

It was a remarkable evening of seesawing emotion, dramatic twists and turns and a killer finish.

Manfred Ugalde was Costa Rica’s with two penalties, the last deep into added time with the Costa Ricans down to 10 men.

Suriname will rue not having come away with anything but in truth Costa Rica were the better side though it could so easily have gone against them in the end.

Costa Rica under Miguel Herrera have been rebuilding after the retirement of a golden generation that had pushed them into Concacaf’s elite. And for the best part of an hour they looked like they had taken a step in the right direction.

Comfortable on the ball and incisive when they needed to be, they had the measure of Suriname. But were they flattering to deceive? Perhaps, but in the end they showed they weren’t just skilful players but they had real fight in them as well.

Suriname are in only their second appearance at the Gold Cup. The Dutch speaking nation beat Martinique in the Preliminary qualifiers to secure their spot in the finals.

Both sides lined up with 5-3-2 formations, giving license to their wing backs to maraude down the flanks.

Alonso Martinez started sharply for Costa Rica, twice being put though but unable to latch on to the ball. The first time missing it all together and the second picking up a yellow card for diving.

At the other end Keylor Navas in Costa Rica’s goal, now aged 39 but looking in great shape, showed why he was once the world’s number 1 with a point blank save from Denzel Jubitana. Ridgeciano Haps hit the rebound over the top from 6m.

In the 15th minute New York City FC striker Martinez had his goal.

Brandon Aguilera drove in from the left wing passing across goal to Martinez who was squeezed by his defender and Suriname keeper Etienne Vaessen but got just enough on the ball to angle it into the right hand corner.

Three minutes later Costa Rica had a second. Anfernee Dijksteel brought down Joseph Mora in the box. Manfred Ugalde made the penalty look easily sending Vaessen the wrong way.

Costa Rica were now rampant, slicing through Suriname at will and on both sides of the pitch, getting players in numbers into the box. But while Suriname were on the back foot they weren’t completely out of it.

On the half hour mark Richonell Margaret chipped the ball in from the left for Gyrano Kerk with the deftest of touches to head the ball on and over Navas – 2-1.

Costa Rica responded by upping their intensity and keeping the game into Suriname’s final third. Martinez could have had a second after persistent work by Carlos Mora on the right. Suriname were struggling to get a foot on the ball. Costa Rica closed out the half comfortably in control but would have liked more to show for a dominance that saw them with close to 60% of the possession.

The break brought little relief for the under siege Surinamese who had now reverted to a back five with four in front to keep the slick passing Costa Ricans at bay. Vaessens kept the difference to one goal with a smart low save from an incoming Mora who took every opportunity to rampage through from midfield.

But football can be a cruel game and if you don’t take your chances it can come back to bite you hard.

A slip on the left by Fernan Faerron allowed Kerk to steal the ball ball and drive towards Navas before sliding the ball across Richonell Margaret to level the scores at 2-2 just before the hour mark.

Suddenly the tide had turned and three minutes later Suriname were ahead, completely against the run of play. Called to the pitchside monitor the referee awarded a handball against Orlando Galo. Margaret stepped up for his second goal of the night – 3-2 Suriname.

With the scent of an unlikely victory Suriname had a new urgency and confidence to their play, no longer content to sit deep.

But now it was Costa Rica’s turn to find a bit more urgency and on 75 minutes they did. A prolonged period of pressure on the Suriname goal saw the ball come out to substitute Josimar Alcoker who hammered his shot through a crowd of players to level the scores at 3-3.

Everything to play for and Suriname clearly wanted a bigger piece of the pie – Margaret almost had his hattrick, swivelling in the box to hit ball against Navas’ post.

With temperatures raised, on 83 minutes Costa Rica called for a penalty. The referee ruled it was just outside the box. Ariel Lassiter, on as a sub, hit the ball into the wall.

As the clock ticked into 8 minute of added time Warren Madrigal was carried off injured leaving Costa Rica with 10 men, but still they pressed for the winner.

Exposed at the back Navas made another crucial save to keep the match even. It was now end-to-end excitement as the match hit fever pitch and moved past 10 minutes of added time.

Costa Rica pressed and won a penalty. Up stepped Ugarde for his second penalty of the night which he cooly converted, 4-3 to Costa Rica.

What a way to spend a Sunday evening!

Suriname now head to Arlington, Texas, and a date with Mexico. Costa Rica meet Dominican Republic.

Insideworldfootball.com

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Related Topics:Costa Rica Gold Cup Suriname

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Arne Slot Confirms Mohamed Salah Is ‘Always In My Mind’ Amid Liverpool Absence

Mohamed Salah sitting on Liverpool bench during Premier League match

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has addressed the speculation surrounding Mohamed Salah, admitting that the Egypt forward is “always in my mind” despite being left out of the last two starting line-ups.

Salah, 33, has had a slow start to the Premier League season, scoring just four goals, and has played only 45 minutes across the last two games. The forward’s omission from the starting XI has sparked talk of a potential Saudi Pro League move, though Salah recently signed a two-year contract extension with Liverpool in April.

Slot Explains Salah Situation

“I think for every player in my mind can start and Mo is an exceptional player for us,” Slot said. “He is always in my mind to either start or to come off the bench.”

Salah played a starring role last season, scoring 29 goals as Liverpool lifted the Premier League in Slot’s first campaign. However, he was an unused substitute in Liverpool’s 2-1 win at West Ham and again came off the bench in the 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland.

Slot acknowledged the chatter around Salah’s absence, saying:

“The chatter, yes because he deserves that, he has been so influential for me and six or seven years. It’s completely normal people talk about it when he isn’t playing.”

Van Dijk Weighs In

Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk also commented, highlighting that no player at the club has “unlimited credit”:

“He is still a fantastic player and we still have to remember there is a reason why he has been so successful at the club and we have to respect that. I need him around as one of the leaders. He’s disappointed but that’s absolutely normal. It’s always been the case that no one is undroppable.”

This statement underscores the high standards at Liverpool, even for one of their most prolific stars.

Liverpool’s Current Form

The Reds are currently ninth in the Premier League, 11 points behind leaders Arsenal, having won just two of their nine league games. Salah’s presence will be crucial as Liverpool look to regain momentum, with their next game set against Leeds United.

While fans debate Salah’s place in the squad, both Slot and Van Dijk emphasize that he remains central to Liverpool’s ambitions, both on the pitch and in the dressing room.

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Roy Keane Blasts ‘Frightened’ Manchester United After West Ham Draw

Roy Keane reacting angrily during a football analysis session

Manchester United thought they had the job wrapped up at Old Trafford… until they didn’t.

Diogo Dalot’s tidy finish just before the hour mark looked like the moment that would push the Red Devils to a much-needed victory. But in classic 2025 Manchester United fashion, control slipped, intensity dipped, and West Ham pounced.

And of course—when things go wrong—Roy Keane is never far from the verbal action.

“They Weren’t Nasty Enough!” – Keane Fires Shots

After the 1-1 draw, Keane wasted zero time calling out what he sees as the real issue at United: timidity.

According to him, United “took their foot off the gas” right after scoring. Against a team in the bottom three, he expected more authority, more aggression, and definitely more hunger.

Instead, what he saw was a team “almost frightened” of finishing the job.

He slammed the players for hiding when pressure kicked in, criticized their lack of killer instinct, and even called out the relaxed body language during substitutions.

In typical Keane fashion, the message was simple:
United should never be this soft.

Amorim Also Frustrated: “The Game Was Ours To Win”

Manager Ruben Amorim didn’t sugarcoat anything either.

While he didn’t go full-Keane, he admitted:

United lost control after scoring
They failed to win second balls
They should have killed the match earlier
The inconsistency is becoming a real problem

For a team chasing European places, three draws in five games simply isn’t good enough.

West Ham Deserved Their Point

To be fair, West Ham didn’t just sit back and wait. They fought, pressed, countered, and eventually got their reward when Soungoutou Magassa slotted home the 83rd-minute equaliser.

United had late chances, but the story of their season resurfaced again:
moments created, moments wasted.

Where Do United Go From Here?

Sitting eighth on the table, United’s inconsistency continues to be their biggest opponent. Keane believes the team lacks bite. Amorim believes the team lacks control.

Fans believe the team lacks… well, everything except drama.

What’s clear is this: until United find their identity and intensity, nights like this will keep happening.

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Beckham Joins Bellingham & Trent to Unveil Retro Gunmetal Adidas Predator Mania

David Beckham Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold posing with the gunmetal adidas Predator Mania boots

Beckham Links Up With The New Generation

Adidas just pulled off the ultimate fusion of eras — pairing Real Madrid legend David Beckham with modern-day stars Jude Bellingham and Trent Alexander-Arnold to unveil the new throwback Predator Mania Gunmetal.

The visual alone is powerful:
Beckham, the man who helped define the Predator legacy, standing alongside the players shaping a new generation at the Santiago Bernabéu.

It’s nostalgia meeting modern football culture in the cleanest way possible.

How Beckham & Zidane Made The Predator A Cultural Icon

In the 2000s, football boots had personalities — and none louder than the Predator.

Thanks to players like:

David Beckham
Zinedine Zidane
Steven Gerrard

…the Predator brand became more than footwear — it became a symbol of confidence, control, and creativity.

Beckham’s signature whip-your-free-kick technique and the unforgettable fold-over tongue made Predator Mania one of the most legendary boots ever created.

And now in 2025, it’s back — reborn with purpose.

A Historic Gunmetal Colourway Returns

The 2025 Predator Mania comes in a stunning Gunmetal grey, blending early-2000s nostalgia with fresh modern flair.

Adidas describes it as:

“Metallic, polished and aggressive”
Featuring crisp white Three Stripes
And the iconic red fold-over tongue — embroidered and unapologetically bold

Beckham famously wore this colourway during his early Real Madrid days.
It quickly became a cult favourite, often called “one of the most photogenic boots of its era.”

Now it’s back — and it looks better than ever.

Engineered For Today’s Game

While the look is faithful, adidas didn’t simply remake the past — they improved it.

The 2025 Predator Mania is crafted in the historic Scheinfeld factory in Germany, the birthplace of many legendary Predator lines.

Key enhancements include:

Upgraded comfort
Subtle structural refinement
Increased responsiveness
Modern fit for today’s style of play

In short:
Old-school swagger meets high-performance engineering.

Back On The Bernabéu Grass

The revival feels even more fitting because two current Real Madrid stars — Bellingham and Alexander-Arnold — will bring the Gunmetal Mania back to the Santiago Bernabéu pitch.

From Beckham’s free-kick artistry to Bellingham’s midfield dominance and Trent’s laser passing…
the Predator legacy remains in elite company.

Adidas couldn’t have scripted a better generational handover.