A penalty converted by Francisco Calvo gave Costa Rica an early 1-0 lead over the United States in their Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal match on June 29, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. The match was the eighth Gold Cup meeting between the two teams.

The penalty was awarded after Max Arfsten made a hard tackle on Kenneth Vargas in the box. Calvo calmly slotted the spot kick home, putting Costa Rica in the lead in the 12th minute. This marked Calvo's first goal of the tournament and gave Costa Rica a crucial advantage in the high-stakes match.

The United States, however, responded when Diego Luna's long-range shot deflected past Keylor Navas to equalize. The first half ended with a 1-1 score.

Adding to the drama, the United States was also awarded a penalty after a late challenge on Malik Tillman. Tillman stepped up to take the penalty but hit the left post, denying his team a crucial advantage. Juan Vargas of Costa Rica and Chris Richards of the USA both received yellow cards during the match.

The U.S. entered the quarterfinal match after finishing top of Group D with a 3-0-0 record, having defeated Trinidad and Tobago, Saudi Arabia, and Haiti. Costa Rica finished second in Group A behind Mexico. Costa Rica had a 2-1-0 record, including a 4-3 comeback victory against Suriname and a 2-1 comeback against the Dominican Republic, and a 0-0 draw with Mexico.

The winner of the match between USA and Costa Rica will advance to the semifinals on July 2. The USMNT has a strong historical record against Costa Rica in the Gold Cup, with 7 wins and 1 draw in their previous eight encounters. Overall, the United States holds a 20-17-6 record against Costa Rica in international play.

The USMNT is aiming to win their eighth Gold Cup title. The Gold Cup final is scheduled for July 6 at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas.