Soccer
Costa Rica defeat New Zealand to claim final berth at 2022 World Cup
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The field for Qatar 2022 is complete.
With Costa Rica's 1-0 victory over New Zealand in an intercontinental play-off on Tuesday, all 32 teams that will be participating in this year's World Cup are now known.
MORE: Full World Cup schedule, groups
A day after Australia's penalty shootout victory over Peru at Al Rayyan Stadium gave the Socceroos the penultimate ticket to Qatar, the Ticos faced down the All Whites in the same stadium. Unlike Monday's scoreless affair, Tuesday's game saw a goal nearly immediately as Joel Campbell struck what proved to be the winner in the third minute of play.
Campbell's goal was the only one of the night, but New Zealand also found the back of the net through Chris Wood, who deftly redirected a cross past goalkeeper Keylor Navas for what seemed to be the equalizer late in the first half. However, a VAR check determined that All Whites midfielder Matthew Garbett committed a foul in the lead-up to the cross, and Wood's goal was disallowed.
Wood's non-goal aside, New Zealand pressed throughout the match and dominated possession, which led to a 15-4 shots advantage (4-3 on target). However, the Ticos were steadfast in their own end and frustrated their opponents. Kosta Barbarouses, a New Zealand substitute, was shown a red card in the 69th minute and the Kiwis were forced to chase the match with just 10 men on the field.
Ultimately it wasn't meant to be for New Zealand, who were looking to return to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
For the Ticos, qualification caps a superb 2022 during which the side has lost just once in nine games. Costa Rica join fellow CONCACAF nations Canada, Mexico and the United States as the region will have four representatives for the first time since 2014.
