Gold Cup: Mexico defeats Costa Rice on penalty kicks

Mexican goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa's late-game saves helped keep the Gold Cup favorites alive as Costa Rica looked to steal the lead in the waning moments of regulation. When the game transitioned into a penalty shootout, Ochoa's two saves sent Mexico to its seventh straight Gold Cup semifinal as Mexico defeated Costa Rica 5 to 4 on penalty kicks in a 1-1 draw at NRG Stadium.

Almost as soon as the shootout began, Mexico was in a hole.

Forward Raul Jimenez had scored just before halftime to put Mexico ahead in the first half. But when he took the first shot of the shootout, his shot to the lower left corner was saved by Costa Rican goalkeeper Leonel Moreira.

Each side nailed their next two. But…