Costa Rica has made three of the last four World Cups, but the soccer-crazy Ticos and their fans are not taking that for granted.
La Sele booked its place in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia in dramatic fashion, as Vancouver Whitecaps defender Kendall Waston powered a header home deep into second half stoppage time to earn a 1-1 draw at home with Honduras and clinch a spot at the World Cup.
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The goal sent everyone in the stadium and around the tiny nation of around 4.9 million people (around the population of South Carolina) into hysterics. Waston ripped off his jersey and swung it in the air while he and the team slid into the corner. Ticos coach Oscar Ramirez ran around the touchline, looking for fellow coaches to hug and celebrate with.
The Ticos fans, overjoyed at returning to the World Cup, made a cacophony of noise as they jumped and celebrated as one. The goal was so momentous, a local Costa Rican broadcaster repeatedly shouted “World Cup” in Spanish.
Here’s how the momentous goal sounded in Costa Rica:
¡GRACIAS KENDALL! GOLAZO 🙌🇨🇷
— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) October 8, 2017
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