Pastor Fernandez

Pastor Fernandez was a football player in the National League of Costa Rica during the 1980s.

He became a national sports hero during the 1990 World Cup qualification, when he headed in the winning goal against El Salvador; that victory allowed Costa Rica to qualify for its first World Cup.

During the previous games Evaristo Coronado had been the hero of the Costa Rican squad with his goals, most of which were headers. For the final game, however, Coronado was injured and Fernandez was picked as his replacement.

Just as Coronado had been doing during the qualifying round, Fernandez headed in the winning goal.

But he was not chosen by Coach Velibor Milutinovic to go with the team to Italy, a decision he took very badly, feeling unappreciated. In protest, he gave up the sport and disappeared from the football scene. Coronado was also dropped for the World Cup, but he did continue his career. This contrast highlighted Fernandez's decision as an impetuous one, and although many Costa Ricans remember his name and appreciate his goal, few can mention his other accomplishments.