Chicago Fire FC defender Francisco Calvo and the Costa Rica Men's National Team resumed their 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign on Sunday night with a 2-1 win against El Salvador.
In front of the home fans at Estadio Nacional in San Jose, Calvo was again a starter in central defense for head coach Luis Fernando Suaréz. Calvo followed up his 90-minute performance in Los Ticos' 0-0 draw with Honduras on Thursday with another complete shift on Sunday, helping Costa Rica pick up their first win of the octagonal qualifying round.
El Salvador got on the board first when Jairo HenrÃquez put a right-footed shot past Costa Rican 'keeper Keylor Navas in the 12th minute. Los Ticos then equalized through Bryan Ruiz in the 52nd minute, before breaking the deadlock and taking the lead just six minutes later when Celso Borges converted from the penalty spot.
Sunday's result keeps Costa Rica in fifth place in the eight-team Concacaf standings, with six points and a 1-3-1 record through five matches played. The top three teams in the table will automatically qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup, while the fourth-place team will advance to a continental playoff.
Up next - Calvo and Costa Rica will visit the United States on Wednesday, Oct. 13 for at 6:00 p.m. CT kickoff at Columbus' Lower.com Field.
