Álvaro Saborío now has four goals in two World Cup qualifying matches after putting on a clinic on Guyana on Tuesday, depositing a hat trick in a comprehensive 4-0 Costa Rica rout in Georgetown.
The Real Salt Lake man struck his first just 20 minutes in with an easy tap-in after some lax goalkeeping by Guyana’s Ronson Williams. Six minutes later, Saborío headed in his second off a cross. And eight minutes after the break, he made it an even three with another header off a lob from teen star Joel Campbell.
Campbell, whose rights are owned by Arsenal, added a goal of his own in the 78th for Los Ticos. New York Red Bulls defender Roy Miller went the full 90 at left back, and Philadelphia’s Porfirio López was subbed in around the hour mark. Columbus forward Olman Vargas was in the 18 for Costa Rica, but didn’t see the field.
With four points through two games, Costa Rica are in second place in CONCACAF’s Group B behind Mexico, who edged El Salvador 2-1 at Estadio Custcatlán behind goals from Jesús Zavala and Héctor Moreno. Former Red Bull Alfredo Pacheo scored for the Salvadorans. Portland Timbers defender Steve Purdy went the full 90 for the hosts.
In the US’ Group A, Antigua and Barbuda scored a massive point at home in a scoreless draw with Jamaica. New York’s Dane Richards, Houston’s Je-Vaughn Watson and Toronto’s Ryan Johnson all started for the Reggae Boyz in the tie; Watson’s club teammate Jermaine Taylor stayed on the bench. Jamaica now have an identical 1-1-0 record with the US, but trail the first-place Americans on goal differential.
In Group C, Panama seized sole control of first with a dominant 1-0 home victory over Cuba thanks to a 57th-minute goal from Nelson Barahona. FC Dallas striker Blas Pérez, who bagged a brace against Honduras last Friday, played the first half for Los Canaleros but came out injured. With six points, Panama sit two ahead of Canada.
