After 45 minutes of play in Charlotte, El Salvador hold a stunning halftime lead over favorites Costa Rica in their 2011 Gold Cup, Group A matchup. Costa Rica have been the better side for the majority of the half, but an absolutely stunning free kick goal by Rodolfo Zelaya has the Cuscatlecos ahead of the Ticos, 1-0 at halftime.
Costa Rica Vs. El Salvador, Gold Cup 2011: Cuscatlecos Hold Shock Halftime Lead
Alvaro Saborio of Costa Rica has been the most dangerous man on the pitch for the Ticos, and it's surprising that he has neither scored, nor set up a goal. He's won a couple of free kicks in dangerous areas, he had a shot brilliantly saved by Miguel Montes in the 3rd minute, and he had an open header go just wide of the post in the 20th minute of the match.
Zelaya scored the go-ahead goal just minutes before the stroke of halftime, hitting a stunning free kick from 25 yards out into the roof of the goal, giving Keylor Navas little chance of making a save.
Down 1-0 with a game against Mexico looming, Costa Rica will probably now feel compelled to bring their superstar striker Bryan Ruiz off the bench for the second half. The FC Twente player was carrying a slight knock coming into the tournament and was being rested before the Mexico match as a precaution, but he will probably make an appearance now that this game has been shown to be anything but a cakewalk.
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