Costa Rica Advances to Gold Cup Semifinals with 1-0 Win over Panama

Costa Rica is the first team in the 2017 Gold Cup semifinals after its 1-0 win over Panama Wednesday.

The only score was an own goal against Panama, costing the team a chance to possibly win on penalty shots.

Both teams were undefeated with two wins and a draw in the group stage, but only Costa Rica was able to advance with the quarterfinal win at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

Max Bretos of ESPN summed up the level of play from Costa Rica:

"

A strong on paper Costa Rica  has looked uninspiring in the #GoldCup2017 . But, there they are .. in Semis. #dangerous

— Maximiliano Bretos (@mbretosESPN) July 20, 2017"

The battle was sloppy throughout, with both sides staying relatively conservative. It took 77 minutes for the ball to find the back of one of the nets, and fittingly it came on an own goal against Panama.

Anibal Godoy, who picked up his second yellow card in the tournament in this game, headed the ball into his net off a set piece for Costa Rica, via Fox Soccer:

Jose Calderon had done a good job in net for Panama, but it took his own man to drive it past him.

The Ticos were then able to hold on for the narrow victory.

It was a defensive battle to start the match with neither side getting many good opportunities offensively. Not only did the match sit at 0-0 through the first 45 minutes, but there was only one combined shot on goal.

Even when Costa Rica earned a free kick in good position to score, the team effectively gave it away with a short pass and didn't even get off a shot.

Keith Costigan of Fox Sports summed up the lack of action:

The second half featured plenty more chances in the final third, but still no one could break through with the first goal.

Matthew Doyle of MLSsoccer.com summed up his feelings as the match continued:

Costa Rica finally got onto the scoresheet off the own goal and then locked up the match with even better defense down the stretch.

The Ticos will now take on the winner of the United States and El Salvador in the semifinal Saturday at 9 p.m. ET at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Panama will turn its attention back to World Cup qualifying, which resumes in September.