A Hearts star made headlines over the weekend by scoring a senior international goal as his country edged closer to qualifying for a major tournament.
Kenneth Vargas achieved a career milestone by finding the net in Costa Rica’s emphatic 7-0 victory over Belize in the first leg of their Concacaf Gold Cup qualifier. Los Ticos, overwhelming favorites against a team ranked 178th by FIFA, lived up to expectations with a dominant performance at Belize’s FFB Stadium.
Under the guidance of new head coach Miguel Herrera, Costa Rica wasted no time asserting control. Manfred Ugalde opened the scoring after just seven minutes and doubled his tally from the penalty spot following a foul on Vargas. The Hearts forward made his mark five minutes before halftime, converting a straightforward finish after a slick setup by New York City FC winger Alonso Martinez.
Costa Rica’s dominance continued after the break, with Alvaro Zamora scoring twice and goals from Jeyland Mitchell and Josimar Alcocer sealing a comprehensive win. The result puts Costa Rica in a commanding position to secure a spot in the Gold Cup Finals, set to take place in Canada and the United States this summer.
Reflecting on the victory, Vargas credited his new manager for the positive influence on the team and expressed his determination to help secure qualification. Speaking to Yashin Quesada, he said: “I’m really happy with the result. We knew we had to come here, show respect, and play our game, and that’s a big help for what’s ahead. The coach is very clear about the roles he wants us to fulfill on the field. It’s good that we’re all getting more comfortable with the system, and we’re gradually understanding each other better.”
He added, “We’re working on building connections and finding space. Our goal is clear – we have to reach the Gold Cup. This result gives us motivation to keep improving, get to know our teammates better, and stay focused. We need to be decisive, respect our opponents, and stick to our game plan. We’ll follow what the coach asks of us and take it from there.”
Vargas is set to return to Edinburgh after the second leg against Belize in the early hours of Wednesday morning, with Hearts gearing up for a tough clash against Premiership leaders Celtic on Saturday afternoon.
