The debate regarding the use of penalty shootouts as a way to determine winners in friendly games has once again come to the surface.
Costa Rica capped a wonderful 2014 with a 7-6 penalty shootout win over Uruguay last night at the Estadio Centenario in Montevideo.
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The game finished 3-3 after normal time following Johan Venegas’ 90th minute equaliser for the visitors. The result means Costa Rica have won 8 of their last 11 games – including a win against Italy and two against Uruguay.
What do you think about the use of penalties to determine friendly matches? Should this game count as a draw, or did Costa Rica legitimately earn a win in the record books? Are penalties in friendlies a good way for the players to practice, or do they devalue the excitement of when they occur in a competitive situation?
Let us know in the comments!
Here is the winning penalty shootout save:
And Johan Venegas’ late equaliser: