#RumboAlMundial ¿Te lo perdiste? Acá el autogol de Gamboa para poner en ventaja a @miseleccionmx ante @FEDEFUTBOL_CRpic.twitter.com/HVkqxytu3c
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) September 6, 2017
Giovani dos Santos celebrated his 100th appearance for Mexico by helping create El Tri’s lone goal in their 1-1 stalemate with Costa Rica on Tuesday in San Jose.
Giovani and his brother Jonathan both earned the start for Mexico as they prevented Costa Rica from becoming the second CONCACAF team to qualify for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Jonathan went the distance in the draw for Mexico, while Giovani played 71 minutes for Juan Carlos Osorio’s squad.
In his 100th appearance, which took place nearly 10 years to the day since his first senior cap, Giovani was an attacking threat and in the 42nd minute put Mexico on the board. The goal came when Raul Jimenez found dos Santos making a darting run in the penalty area; the Galaxy striker chested the cross toward goal allowing the ball to deflect off defender Cristian Gamboa for the goal.
Costa Rica equalized late in the second half, however, when Michael Ureña fired a shot from distance that beat Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa to secure a draw. The tie means Costa Rica can qualify no lower than the inter-continental playoff and is basically assured a spot in the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Mexico will return to action in October when they host Trinidad and Tobago in San Luis Potosi on Oct. 6 before taking on Honduras four days later on the road.
