The Cuban national football team for under 20s debuted with a draw against Costa Rica in the Pre-Mundial of the category. In a match held at the Miguel Alemán Stadium in the Mexican city of Celaya, Yunielis Castillo’s team took a point from their match against the Ticos after tying with a score of 1-1.
In a very even first half, it was the Caribbeans who opened the scoring early on. In the 8th minute, midfielder Samuel Rodríguez gave the Caribbean Lions the lead from the penalty spot, after a clear penalty committed by the Costa Rican defense.
Samuel Rodriguez with the first goal of #U20Championship puts Cuba up 1-0 at halftime. ⚽ pic.twitter.com/u88NqDfy9I
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) July 20, 2024
Shortly afterwards, another play took place inside the area which could have easily resulted in a second penalty for our team. However, neither the main referee of the match nor the VAR considered it an infringement.
At the half hour mark, the Ticos had the opportunity to tie the game from the penalty spot, but Guantanamo goalkeeper Yurdy Hodelín worked the first of his miracles in this match, decisively stopping the shot by Costa Rican star Andy Rojas.
Despite the psychological effect that this had, from the beginning of the second half Cuba completely handed the reins of the match to the Central Americans, which led to the inevitable draw for the Costa Ricans. The opponent’s goal came in the 51st minute, after an excellent combination of passes in the third four of the field and a precise cross into the area that was headed in by center forward Esteban Cruz.
Esteban Cruz ties the game! Costa Rica responds and the score is 1-1 #U20Championship pic.twitter.com/ZnHP0nxPnb
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) July 20, 2024
After the hasty substitution of starting midfielders Romario Torres and Samuel Rodríguez, the Cuban team looked visibly weakened. Costa Rica began to win loose balls in the midfield and create dangerous chances. So much so that on several occasions they were very close to taking the lead, something that did not happen thanks to the solid performance of goalkeeper Hodelín.
Cuba will face its second match next Monday, the 22nd, against the United States team – a priori the most difficult rival in our group – and will close its performance in the group stage against Jamaica on Thursday, the 25th; a match that could determine whether the Cuban team advances to the quarterfinals or returns home empty-handed.
These were the best moments of the draw between @fedefutbolcrc and Cuba#U20Championship pic.twitter.com/BIqDfXFDS7
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) July 20, 2024
The CONCACAF Pre-World Cup tournament will be held in the Mexican cities of Irapuato and Celaya, where a dozen teams divided into three groups will seek a ticket to the world event in Chile.
The top two teams in each group, as well as the two best third-placed teams, will advance to the decisive quarter-finals, and the winners of this stage will be the four teams that qualify for next year’s World Cup.
