USA 4 Costa Rica 0: Clint Dempsey nets 50th international goal as hosts claim first win
Jurgen Klinsmann's men recover from Colombia hammering with routine win over tricky Central Americans in Chicago
Veteran striker Clint Dempsey set the USA on their way to their first Copa America Centenario with his 50th international goal.
The former Fulham and Tottenham front man coolly converted an early penalty to give the hosts the lead over Costa Rica.
The Central Americans were one of the surprise packages at the World Cup two years ago.
But they were blown away in the first-half in Chicago.
Costa Rica actually started off the brighter of the two — but fell behind to their hosts’ first foray forward.
On seven minutes, USA’s Bobby Wood was deemed to have been pushed in the back, and the referee pointed to the spot.
Despite vociferous arguments by the Costa Ricans, the Ecuadorian official stayed firm.
And Dempsey kept his cool — slotting the ball into the corner.
USA began to dominate proceedings after the opener.
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However, they had to wait until the 37th minute before adding a second — but it was a goal worth waiting for.
Following a swift counter attack, Dempsey found Jermaine Jones, who curled the ball past Patrick Pemberton — who was deputising for the injured Keylor Navas — from the edge of the area.
And just three minutes later, it was game over.
Michael Bradley’s sumptuous 30-yard pass eventually found its way to Wood, and the man nicknamed 'the Hawaiian Lionel Messi' beat Pemberton at his near post.
USA looked happy to hold on their big lead, following their disappointing opening game defeat to Colombia — but found a fourth with a late counter attack.
Graham Zusi completed the scoring four minutes from time with a thunderous finish.
The hosts’ Copa America campaign is well and truly under way.