Mexico books Gold Cup final berth

Mexico City:

Rafael Marquez banged in a 45-metre strike to give Mexico a 2-0 win over Costa Rica and secure a CONCACAF Gold Cup finals berth. Mexico will play Brazil in the final on Sunday. Brazil advanced on Wednesday with a 2-1 overtime victory against the United States in Miami. A crowd of 35,000 braved rain at the 105,000-seat Aztec Stadium to see Mexico beat Costa Rica for the first time in a decade. Costa Rica earned a shocking 2-1 victory over Mexico in the qualifying rounds for the 2002 World Cup. Marquez's improbable goal came in the 18th minute of the match that marked the defender's first international appearance since he signed this month with Spanish super-club Barcelona. "The goal surprised me, like everyone else," Marquez said. "It was a pass with a lot of luck and it surprised the Costa Rican goalkeeper". Jared Borgetti gave Mexico a 2-0 lead nine minutes later. The goal followed a powerful free kick from midfielder Rafael Garcia that Costa Rican goalkeeper Ricardo Gonzalez deflected into the centre of the penalty area. (AP)

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