Jared Borgetti headed in a goal from 5m out in the eighth minute of extra time to give Mexico a 1-0 victory over eight-man Costa Rica in a CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final on Sunday.
Mexico now advance to the semi-finals on Thursday in Chicago against Guadeloupe, who beat Honduras 2-1 later on Sunday. Canada play defending champions the US in the other semi-final of the Gold Cup.
Borgetti, who leads Mexico with 43 career goals in international play, took a cross in front of goal from Adolfo Bautista to score the winner.
"I believe in perseverance and strength and that the best team will win," Borgetti said.
Mexico coach Hugh Sanchez said he thought his team's patience caused Costa Rica to lose hope.
"And that patience helped us to win. He who wins is the best that plays, not he who can best adapt to conditions that are not favorable," he said.
Costa Rica's Allan Aleman was ejected in the 43rd minute when he got his second yellow card for vehemently protesting for a foul with US referee Terry Vaughn.
Moments after Borgetti scored, Costa Rica lost Alvaro Saborio to a red card because of a bad tackle. In the final minute of extra time, Mario Camacho also received a red card.
Costa Rica coach Hernan Medford criticized the calls against his team.
"We played well but when the organization has its favorites, its difficult," he said.
Medford said he had to play without midfielders.
"We didn't have any. We had to use a system to which we weren't accustomed," he said.
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