Mexico 0-0 Costa Rica: Player Ratings As El Tri Draw Final Game of Gold Cup Group Stage

Mexico once again failed to impress and couldn't defeat an inferior Costa Rica side.
Luis Chávez (left) was among the players that were visibly frustrated, as Mexico struggled in the second half vs. Costa Rica.
Luis Chávez (left) was among the players that were visibly frustrated, as Mexico struggled in the second half vs. Costa Rica. / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Mexico had its chances but failed to score vs. Costa Rica, settling for a 0–0 draw in their final group stage match of the 2025 Gold Cup.

El Tri played its best 30 minutes of the tournament to start the game, but Keylor Navas looked like his former Real Madrid self and the veteran goalkeeper denied Raúl Jiménez and co. from finding the back of the net. Cost Rica survived the early Mexican onslaught and gradually grew into the match.

In the second half, Javier Aguirre’s team fell off a cliff and were incapable of maintaining control of the match. Sloppy mistakes in possession allowed Costa Rica to gain confidence and have dangerous opportunities, non clearer than when striker Alonso Martínez fired a shot from distance that hit the crossbar.

Santiago Gimenez came off the bench and scored a stunning goal, striking the ball with an acrobatic volley in stoppage time. Mexico thought it had the result in the bag, but the goal was ultimately disallowed for offside.

The scoreless draw sees Mexico qualify to the Gold Cup quarterfinals as the top team from Group A. However, the performance of Aguirre’s side for the vast majority of the group stage has been subpar. Improvements in every facet of the game are needed if El Tri is going to successfully defend its Gold Cup crown.

Up next, Saudi Arabia in the quarterfinals on Saturday, June 28


Mexico Player Ratings v. Costa Rica (4-3-3)

Ratings provided by FotMob

Position / Player

Ratings (Out of 10)

GK: Luis Malagón

6.7

RB: Jorge Sánchez

6.9

CB: César Montes

7.5

CB: Johan Vásquez

7.4

LB: Mateo Chávez

6.8

CM: Edson Álvarez

7.7

CM: Marcel Ruiz

6.9

CM: Luis Chávez

7.6

RW: Roberto Alvarado

6.9

LW: Alexis Vega

7.9

ST: Raúl Jiménez

6.4

SUB: Santiago Gimenez (69' for Jiménez)

5.8

SUB: Jesús Gallardo (70' for Chávez)

6.7

SUB: Carlos Rodríguez (75' for Ruiz)

6.2

SUB: César Huerta (75' for Alvarado)

6.3

SUB: Julián Quiñones (88' for Vega)

N/A


Costa Rica Player Ratings vs. Mexico (5-3-2)

Ratings provided by FotMob

Position / Player

Ratings (Out of 10)

GK: Keylor Navas

8

RWB: Carlos Mora

6.2

CB: Jeyland Mitchell

6.7

CB: Juan Pablo Vargas

7.1

CB: Francisco Calvo

7.4

LWB: Josheph Mora

7.8

CM: Brandon Aguilera

7.1

CM: Orlando Galo

7.7

CM: Josimar Alcócer

6.3

ST: Alonso Martínez

6.3

ST: Manfred Ugalde

5.4

SUB: Andy Rojas (58' for Mora)

6.3

SUB: Kenay Myrie (65' for Mitchell)

6.4

SUB: Kenneth Vargas (88' for Martínez)

N/A

SUB: Fernán Faerron (88' for Ugalde)

N/A

Player of the Match: Keylor Navas (Costa Rica)


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Roberto Casillas
ROBERTO CASILLAS

Roberto Casillas is a Sports Illustrated FC freelance writer covering Liga MX, the Mexican National Team & Latin American players in Europe. He is a die hard Cruz Azul and Chelsea fan.