Canada, Costa Rica near Gold Cup knockout rounds after lively draw

Canada and Costa Rica edged closer to the quarter-final stage of the 2017 Gold Cup on Tuesday evening after a hard-fought 1-1 draw.

Sixteen-year-old Alphonso Davies opened the scoring for Canada with his third goal in as many national team outings, but it was canceled out by Francisco Calvo's powerful header on 42 minutes.

Both sides battled to take the ascendancy in Group A in the second stanza with some nervy moments at each end, before referee Mark Geiger called time on a tie which leaves Canada and Costa Rica on four points apiece.

Canada's opener fed the excitement surrounding the Vancouver Whitecaps' teenage tormentor Davies and, although the goal-scorer was found by the superb Scott Arfield, Cristian Gamboa's input - or lack thereof - was most valuable in the build-up.

La Sele's full-back, one of the more recognizable names on the park through his experience at West Bromwich Albion and Celtic, glanced over at Davies but then seemed to briefly doze off. The precocious winger made no mistake, swinging his run around the drowsy Gamboa to plunk the ball past Patrick Pemberton.

It was a deserved lead. In the Houston heat, Canada stuck to the Costa Rican midfield like fly guts on a Texan pickup's windshield, constantly thieving possession and then swarming forward in search of another goal. The Canucks were impressive, so their fans would've felt a familiar sinking feeling when they let Oscar Ramirez's side level.

A warning shot was fired when Milan Borjan saved low to his left from David Ramirez's effort, but Calvo buried a header from the resulting corner. It was a cruel blow after a promising 42 minutes from Canada, and it could've been worse if Borjan didn't produce more heroics to deny David Guzman in added time.

The match was a more even and physical affair after the break, with Mark-Anthony Kaye enjoying his first international start with several bursts through the middle, and Costa Rica keeping Borjan on his toes with aerial deliveries and efforts from distance.

The shakier moments were felt by Canada, as Costa Rica appeared to have more gas left in the tank. Borjan was characteristically busy, though, desperately flinging himself around his box and swatting at loose balls to send both teams into their final clashes with a win and a draw.

Canada, which sits atop the quartet courtesy of a superior goal difference, finishes Group A with a chance to exorcise some demons against old CONCACAF foe Honduras on Friday. Costa Rica begins that day's commitments at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas, against French Guiana.