For the first time this qualifying cycle, Canada came out on the losing side after going down 1-0 away in Costa Rica on Thursday night.
The Canucks needed just a point on the night to punch their ticket to Qatar 2022 – their first World Cup since 1986.
However, the sending off of Mark-Anthony Kaye for two yellow card offenses left Canada up against it, and their job was made that much more difficult when midfielder Celso Borges headed home a Gerson Torres cross right on half-time.
To their credit, the 10 men of Canada took the game to Costa Rica in the second half, dominating possession, hitting the woodwork on a couple of occasions and creating a number of dangerous openings. Los Ticos were always a threat on the break, but then Canada had the freedom to go for the goal given their place at the top of the group.
In the end, Costa Rica held on and jumped into the intercontinental playoff spot. For Canada, their wait to officially qualify for the World Cup goes onto Sunday’s clash at home to Jamaica.