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Group C action in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup kicked off Monday at Exploria Stadium and even though the favorites came out on top, it was an entertaining night of competitive international soccer. Suriname certainly fashioned some dangerous scoring chances but couldn’t find the target in a 2-0 loss to Jamaica in the first game. Guadeloupe was very much in the fight against Costa Rica when a red card changed the game and the Ticos went on to win 3-1 in the nightcap.
Both matches featured impressive goals and standout individual performances and all four teams were going for it, making for some excellent competition. Even those who aren’t followers of any of those four teams would have had an enjoyable night at the stadium and another opportunity will present itself this coming Friday to do the same.
The passion of the supporters, the fight in the players, and the skill on display made the Concacaf Gold Cup a fun event to attend and Monday embodied that. From Shamar Nicholson’s opening goal for Jamaica just six minutes after the opening whistle, through an insurance goal by Costa Rica’s Celso Borges in the 70th minute of the second match, there was plenty of excitement. The Borges goal turned back a game Guadeloupe side that was still pressing for an equalizer despite being reduced to 10 men when Steve Solvet punched Francisco Calvo. History was made, as Solvet was the first player ejected after video review in a Gold Cup match.
The two favorites in the group will swap opponents this coming Friday, as Jamaica will take on Guadeloupe and Costa Rica will face Suriname at Exploria Stadium as the tournament moves through Round 2 of the group stage.
We hope you enjoy the following images from both matches at Exploria Stadium in the 2021 Concacaf Gold Cup. These were the sights on display Monday evening as Costa Rica grabbed an early lead in Group C on the goals scored tiebreaker. Jamaica is lurking just behind the Ticos, with Suriname and Guadeloupe still in the fight but no longer with any margin of error.
Images: Dan MacDonald
Words: Michael Citro