• Costa Rica beat New Zealand.
• . Joel Campbell scored the game’s first goal.
• The result completes a 32-nation World Cup lineup in Qatar.

Costa Rica overcame New Zealand 1-0 to become the final side to qualify for the World Cup; former Arsenal striker Joel Campbell scored the game’s first goal for the South Americans. It’s only 162 days till the World Cup in Qatar.

Costa Rica beat New Zealand 1-0 in an intercontinental playoff on Tuesday to complete a 32-nation World Cup lineup in Qatar.

Costa Rica, relying largely on its core of veterans, held off Joel Campbell’s third-minute goal and benefited from saves from goalkeeper and captain Keylor Navas.

Even after falling down to 10 men for the final quarter of the encounter in the air-conditioned Ahmad bin Ali Stadium on the outskirts of Doha, New Zealand recovered to dominate possession and create better scoring opportunities.

Two important video review rulings went against New Zealand, cancelling a likely equaliser from Chris Wood in the 39th minute and securing a red card for a foul by Kosta Barbarouses in the 69th minute. The midfielder was only on the pitch for nine minutes as a replacement.

Navas saved his best for the frantic finish, leaping to stop Woods’ low drive and rising to knock away a curling left-foot attempt by Clayton Lewis.
After a sluggish start in the eight-team North American qualification group last year, it helped Costa Rica, the 2014 quarter-finalist, qualify for its third consecutive World Cup.

This group exemplifies what it’s like to be a Costa Rican. Coach Luis Fernando Surez, whose team won four straight games in February and March to clinch a postseason berth, stated, “They never stop, they always give 100 percent.”