CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Randall Brenes’ right-footed shot in the closing seconds of stoppage time lifted Costa Rica to a 1-1 tie with El Salvador on Thursday night in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Brenes took a header off a building attack and sent a low shot from inside the penalty box that beat Miguel Montes to the far post and left Costa Rica (1-0-1) unbeaten in Group A play.
Rodolfo Zelaya scored off a free kick from 25 yards out in the 45th minute for El Salvador (0-2-0), which had withstood Costa Rica’s second-half surge until the final seconds after losing 5-0 to Mexico in its tournament opener.
Costa Rica, coming off a 5-0 win over Cuba, ended a two-match losing streak to El Salvador in competitive matches after wasting numerous earlier chances to tie.
