Tenacious 10-man Canada falls to Costa Rica in 1st loss of World Cup qualifying campaign

Canada's bid to seal World Cup qualification was put on hold Thursday after a 1-0 loss to Costa Rica that saw the Canadians play a man down for almost two-thirds of the match.

It was the Canadian men's first defeat in 18 qualifying matches (13-1-4), snapping a six-game win streak.

There was plenty of drama through the evening, with 10-man Canada charging hard in the second half, the Costa Ricans hanging on and other results coming into play.

Now the focus turns to Toronto's BMO Field on Sunday when Canada hosts Jamaica in its penultimate qualifier. Then it's off to Panama for the finale next Wednesday.

But the outlook is bright. Even if Canada loses its two remaining games and Costa Rica wins their last two, the Canadians would finish third — and qualify — unless the Costa Ricans make up an 11-goal deficit.

Veteran midfielder Celso Borges put No. 42 Costa Rica ahead in first-half stoppage time after Canada, which had had trouble defending set pieces, was unable to clear a free kick. Goalkeeper Milan Borjan punched the ball away but it went to Costa Rica's Gerson Torres and three passes later it was in the net as Borges rose above Stephen Eustaquio to head home a Torres cross.

WATCH | CBC's Chris Jones discusses significance of Canadian WC qualification:

The 33rd-ranked Canadians were reduced to 10 men when midfielder Mark-Anthony Kaye was sent off in the 34th minute for a second yellow card.

Kaye was cautioned in the 15th minute for a challenge on Ronald Matarrita, catching the FC Cincinnati star on the lower shin. Honduran referee Said Martinez went to the pitchside monitor to review the play but elected to stick with the yellow card.

But the Colorado Rapids midfielder was off 19 minutes later after a confrontation with