Football
2018 International Friendly, International Friendly
MEX 
3
FT
 CRC
2
ESPN 5y

Raul Jimenez penalty gives Mexico win over Costa Rica

Raul Jimenez converted a penalty in the 71st minute to give Mexico a 3-2 win over Costa Rica in a back-and-forth friendly match on Thursday night. 

Playing at Estadio Universitario in Monterrey, Mexico got off a nervy start when Mexico goalkeeper Gibran Layud almost committed an own goal in the 10th minute. 

Angel Zaldivar almost got El Tri on the scoreboard first with a close-range low header, only to be thwarted by Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas on a spectacular diving save.

But it was Costa Rica who opened the night's scoring in the 29th minute when Bryan Oviedo sent a pinpoint cross to Joel Campbell who sank in a header at the far post. 

Mexico responded with the equalizer four minutes later with Victor Guzman's volley into the top corner of the net set up by Josecarlos Van Rankin's serve across the penalty box.

Los Ticos re-took the lead in the 43rd minute on Oviedo's penalty shot after Van Rankin was called for a handball in front of Mexico's goal. 

Henry Martin drew the home side level again in the 56th minute with a header following Jurgen Damm's cross from a tight angle off the touchline.

Martin was key in Mexico's third goal, drawing the penalty which give Jimenez the opportunity to knock in the eventual game winnner successfully converted.

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