Costa Rica’s national soccer team started the Gold Cup with a defeat.
The World Cup participants lost 1-2 (0-1) against Panama at the start of Group C, making Costa Rica the first “group leader” in this year’s edition to remain without a point in the first game. The USA and Mexico, top seeded in Groups A and B respectively, started with a draw and a win.
Jose Fajardo (23′) and Edgar Barcenas (68′) scored for Panama at Inter Miami, the future home of world champion Lionel Messi. Costa Rica, who failed together with Germany in the group stage at the World Cup in Qatar, only came back through Aaron Suarez (90+1) in added time.
Panama now surprisingly shares the lead in the group with Martinique. The team from the Caribbean island only secured their place in the Gold Cup through the qualifying round, and they started off with a remarkable 2-1 (2-0) win over El Salvador.
Martinique took the lead with a double through Patrick Burner (11th) and Kevin Fortune (16th). From the 48th minute the team was outnumbered after a red card against Jonathan Rivierez, but could rely on Yannis Clementia. The goalkeeper parried numerous balls, including a penalty kick by Jairo Henriquez (83′).
Only a hand penalty in injury time brought El Salvador’s goal through Bryan Tamacas (90+5).
The Gold Cup of the umbrella organization CONCACAF in the USA and Canada is the continental tournament for teams from North and Central America and the Caribbean. It has been held under its current name since 1991, with Mexico winning the tournament eight times and the USA winning seven times.