Bennette rescues draw for Costa Rica against UAE in FIFA U-17 World Cup | OneFootball

DOHA, Qatar – The FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025 kicked off on Monday, with Costa Rica tying 1-1 with the United Arab Emirates in Group C on Monday at Aspire Zone - Pitch 8 in Doha, Qatar.

Isaac Badilla received a red card in the 31’, leaving Costa Rica with ten men and without one of its top players.

Thiago Cordero nearly scored from a header in front of goal in the 55’, but UAE goalkeeper Jassem Abdulla was able to keep his grip on the ball and keep the match scoreless.

Mayed Adel broke the deadlock in the 59’ with a header off a corner kick to place UAE in front.

Nick Bennette equalized for Costa Rica in the 62’ with a right-footed finish to capitalize on a rebound off the goalkeeper Abdulla.

The two nations split the points to begin with one apiece. Costa Rica’s next challenge comes against Senegal on Thursday.

Post-Match Data 

Costa Rica has now tied four of their last eight matches at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (4D), just one fewer than in their previous 29 games combined (7W 5D 17L).

● In the last 25 minutes of the match, Costa Rica only allowed the United Arab Emirates two shots, after having conceded six up to that point. The Ticos had eight shots in that period, two more than in the previous 65 minutes (6).

● Despite playing with 10 men from the 31st minute onward, Costa Rica outperformed the UAE in possesion (54% a 46%), total shots (14 to 8), passes (296 to 257), and crosses (27 to 17), managing to equalize after conceding the opening goal.

● Ethan Barley made seven touches inside the opposition box; the highest figure recorded by a Costa Rican player in at least their last two appearances at the FIFA U-17 World Cup (2017 and 2025).

● Yerlan Sosa made a total of seven crosses against the United Arab Emirates, the fourth highest tally in a Costa Rica match at the FIFA U-17 World Cup, at least since 2015, and the highest since the start of the 2017 edition.