An early goal sealed the Kiwis’ fate.
Costa Rica – New Zealand 1-0
New Zealand were one game away from the 2022 Qatar World Cup, but fell at the last hurdle against Costa Rica.
A cross into the box found its way to former Arsenal man Joel Campbell after just over two minutes played.
New Zealand then had a goal disallowed in the first half, and to make matters worse, Kosta Barbarouses got himself sent off in the 69th minute.
The striker lunged into a challenge on Costa Rica’s Francisco Calvo and caught his ankle. The referee went out to look at the VAR monitor and came back with the red card in his hand.
New Zealand tried to come back in the second half, despite being a man down, but they could not find a way past Costa Rica keeper Keylor Navas.
