LAS VEGAS (AP) — Mexico tied Costa Rica 0-0 on Sunday night to win Group A of the and will play Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals.
Mexico's Santiago Giménez appeared to score on a bicycle kick in the fourth minute of second-half stoppage time but the goal was disallowed by Guatemalan referee Mario Escobar following a video review.
GimĂ©nez appeared to be offside when Luis Chávez lofted the ball into the penalty area after exchanging taps with Carlos RodrĂguez on a free kick. Orlando Galo's headed clearance attempt went in front of the goal to GimĂ©nez, who overhead kick beat goalkeeper Keylor Navas, plus-three to plus-two.
Mexico, unbeaten in 10 Gold Cup matches against Costa Rica, finished even with the Ticos at seven points but won the group on goal difference.
“We’re growing, although not at the speed I’d like,” Mexico coach Javier Aguirre said. “It was a good game for us that didn’t end with a victory. We’re happy with the performance. I have nothing to reproach my players for.”
El Tri, which defeated and in their first two matches, will play Saudi Arabia on Saturday at Glendale, Arizona, while the Costa Ricans will face the United States the following day in Minneapolis.
Costa Rica will be missing four regular starters. Forward , who has three goals in the tournament, and midfielder are suspended for yellow-card accumulation. Defender has a fractured left hand and forward a broken left leg.
“It was a difficult match, we said so beforehand. It was very close, and we knew it would be that way,," Costa Rica coach Miguel Herrera said. "We still have things to fix, but we have a very good team, for me the best in the region.”
Ugalde, assessed a yellow card against the Dominican Republic, received another yellow in the 83rd for charging into RodrĂguez and elbowing him near the center circle. The two yellows result in a one-game suspension.
Mexico had 70% possession and had a 13-5 advantage in shots, including 4-0 in shots on target.
Costa Rica's Alonso MartĂnez put a 25-yard shot off the crossbar while falling in the 67th.
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