Mexico and Costa Rica played out a tense 1-1 draw at the Rose Bowl in Group B, but the final whistle came only after a dramatic VAR intervention denied El Tri a late victory. Hirving Lozano opened the scoring with a clinical finish early in the second half, giving Mexico the advantage and sending their supporters into raptures. Costa Rica responded swiftly through Joel Campbell, who finished calmly to restore parity and keep his side in the contest.

The match reached boiling point in stoppage time when Mexico appeared to be awarded a penalty after a challenge inside the box. Referee consultation with VAR, however, overturned the decision, ruling that no foul had been committed. The reversal left both teams frustrated yet ultimately satisfied with a share of the points as the clock ticked down.

This result leaves Group B finely poised with both nations still searching for their first win of the tournament. Mexico will rue the missed opportunity to claim three points, while Costa Rica can take pride in their resilience and disciplined defending under intense pressure. The clash highlighted the growing importance of video technology in high-stakes World Cup encounters.