The pressure will be on Mexico to show off their credentials as 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup title favorites when they face Costa Rica in the quarterfinals on Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Managed by interim coach Jaime Lozano, Mexico started the tournament strong with big wins against Honduras and Haiti before surprisingly falling to Qatar with a side made up primarily of backups. Lozano will once again roll out his best team against a Costa Rica side that only made the quarterfinals thanks to a wild 6-4 victory over Martinique in their final group-stage match.
Both the Ticos and El Tri are in a transition phase as they incorporate new players with an eye toward the 2026 FIFA World Cup, but Mexico's depth of talent gives them a decided edge.
It's the ninth time that the two nations face off in the Gold Cup, including the third straight quarterfinal meeting (2015, 2019 & 2023), with Mexico seeking to clinch a trio of semifinal berths against the Ticos.
It'll be another high-stakes matchup between the two nations in a matter of a few days after Mexico's Under-23 team defeated their counterparts from Costa Rica for the gold medal in the Central American Games on July 6.
LIVE BLOG: Follow all the action from Mexico vs. Costa Rica in Arlington
What time is Mexico vs Costa Rica?
The Mexico vs. Costa Rica CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal will be the second match of a doubleheader at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
- Date: Saturday, July 8
- Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT)
The first game will see Panama take on Qatar three hours earlier at 7 p.m. ET (4 p.m. PT) with enough time allotted for extra time and a potential penalty shootout in case of a draw after 90 minutes.
The winner of Panama vs. Qatar will face the USA vs. Canada winner. Mexico or Costa Rica will meet Guatemala or Jamaica in the semis.
MORE: All the details on the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinals
Mexico vs Costa Rica live stream, TV channel
Here's how to watch the Mexico vs. Costa Rica quarterfinal for fans based in the USA and Canada:
USA
- TV channel: FS1, Univision, TUDN
- Streaming: Fubo, Fox Sports site/app, TUDN site/app
The match will be televised in the USA on FS1 (English) and Univision and TUDN (Spanish) with all three channels streaming on Fubo, which is available to new users on a free trial.
Subscribers to cable, satellite, or telco packages can use those authenticated credentials to access a live stream on the Fox Sports or TUDN site and app.
Canada
- TV channel: Telus Optik TV (Channel 980)
- Streaming: Fubo Canada, OneSoccer site/app
The match will be televised in Canada on Telus Optik TV (Channel 980), where viewers can watch the OneSoccer broadcast.
It will also be streamed on Fubo Canada, as well as on the OneSoccer site and app for subscribers.
MORE: Updated Gold Cup bracket and schedule
Mexico vs Costa Rica lineups
Mexico manager Jaime Lozano has a full squad available to him with center-back Cesar Montes back after serving a three-match suspension. He has been slotted straight into the starting lineup, as Lozano looks to get his tallest in the match against a Costa Rica team that is strong in the air. Erick 'El Chiquito' Sanchez takes a spot on the bench to make room, with Edson Alvarez pushing up into midfield.
Mexico starting lineup (4-3-3): 13-Guillermo Ochoa (GK) — 19-Jorge Sanchez, 3-Cesar 'El Cachorro' Montes, 5-Johan Vasquez, 23-Jesus Gallardo — 7-Luis Romo, 4-Edson Alvarez, 18-Luis Chavez — 15-Uriel Antuna, 20-Henry Martin, 17-Orbelin Pineda
Mexico subs (12): 1-Jose Antonio Rodriguez (GK), 12-Luis Angel Malagon (GK), 2-Julian Araujo, 21-Israel Reyes, 22-Victor Guzman, 6-Gerardo Arteaga, 8-Carlos 'Charly' Rodriguez, 14-Erick 'El Chiquito' Sanchez, 10-Roberto Alvarado, 16-Diego Lainez, 9-Ozziel Herrera, 11-Santiago Gimenez.
Costa Rica was forced to make two injury replacements in the lead-up to the match with Carlos Mora (ankle) and Roan Wilson (knee) replaced by Yeltsin Tejeda and Kenneth Vargas. Tejeda, a defensive midfielder, is a national team regular, but he's been out of action for the last two months due to injury. If he makes his competitive return in this Gold Cup quarterfinal, it will be off the bench.
Costa Rica starting lineup (3-5-2): 18-Kevin Chamorro (GK) — 19-Kendall Waston, 3-Juan Pablo Vargas, 15-Francisco Calvo — 22-Jefry Valverde, 5-Celso Borges, 10-Cristofer Nunez, 20-Wilmer Azofeifa, 8-Josimar Alcocer — 12-Joel Campbell, 7-Anthony Contreras.
Costa Rica subs (12): 1-Jussef Delgado (GK), 23-Alexandre Lezcano (GK), 2-Carlos Martinez, 4-Keysher Fuller, 13-Suhander Zuniga, 6-Pablo Arboine, 14-Ricardo Pena, 21-Kenneth Vargas, 11-Aaron Suarez, 17-Yeltsin Tejeda, 9-Diego Campos, 16-Warren Madrigal.
Mexico vs Costa Rica betting odds
Mexico are overwhelming favorites, but matches against Costa Rica are historically tight with only eight of their 25 matches since the turn of the century decided by a difference of two goals or more. The last time it happened was eight matches ago in 2017.
For that reason, the Costa Rica +1.5 spread (handicap) is an attractive proposition if, as expected, Los Ticos assume a defensive posture in this single-elimination match. Costa Rica will likely look to frustrate Mexico, keeping it close for as long as possible. If they can avoid costly mistakes, they'll be in with a chance. The +1.5 handicap bet would be a winner even with a Mexico one-goal win.
| Mexico win | Draw | Costa Rica win | Both teams to score Y / N | Over / Under 2.5 goals | MEX -1.5 | CRC +1.5 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BetMGM (USA) | -350 | +475 | +875 | +115 / -165 | -160 / +110 | -130 | -110 |
| Sports Interaction (Canada) | 1.28 | 5.40 | 9.80 | 2.06 / 1.60 | 1.66 / 2.18 | 1.83 | 1.95 |
