Mexico beat Costa Rica on penalties

Mexico are through to the final of the 2009 CONCACAF Gold Cup, having beaten Costa Rica 5-4 on penalties after a 1-1 final result.

Costa Rica were in fact the better side in the opening phase and got close to scoring when Alonso’s shot bounced off the right post on 12 minutes.

From there on, the Mexicans began to gain terrain as a more balanced battle formed at Chicago’s Soldier Field.

In the second half, Mexico even began to dominate and earned a penalty as Costa Rica captain Freddy Fernandez handled the ball in the area. However, Miguael Sabah’s following spot kick was easily saved by keeper Keilor Navas.

But the four-times Gold Cup champions did score what appeared to be the winner with two minutes left in regular time, as some defensive chaos ended with Guillermo Franco striking it home.

It wouldn’t be the end of the game though as Costa Rica levelled three minutes into added time, with a great finish from Froylan Ledezma.

No more goals were scored in extra time and penalties were needed to decide which team was to face the USA in Sunday’s final.

Ledezma, who had saved his team by scoring the equaliser, missed the only penalty in the shoot-out. Carlos Vela scored the decider, leading Mexico to the final.