Costa Rica recover from early deficit to down Honduras

FRISCO, Texas – Costa Rica recovered from an early deficit to defeat Honduras 3-1 in the 2023-24 Concacaf Nations League Play-In match on Saturday evening at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.

With the victory, Costa Rica have qualified for the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024.

It was a dynamite start in an atmosphere that was electric well before kick-off. Honduras roared to a 1-0 lead and did so in style when a ball played into Jerry Bengtson was flicked back in the air by the veteran striker, allowing Michaell Chirinos to latch onto it and hammer a volley into net for a 1-0 Honduras lead in the 10’.

Costa Rica were unfazed and answered two minutes later in the 12’ when Honduras GK Jonathan Rougier blocked a header right into the path of Orlando Galo, who turned the ball into net to even things at 1-1.

The back-and-forth continued during the first half, with Honduras nearly getting a second in the 39’ when Bengtson steered a volley goalward, only to be denied by Costa Rica’s decorated GK Keylor Navas.

Costa Rica started pegging Honduras back in their own half in the early stages of the second half and it paid off handsomely in the 57’ when Manfred Ugalde flicked a header back toward Warren Madrigal, who unleashed a right-footed rocket into the top right corner of net to hand Costa Rica a 2-1 advantage.

The momentum was with the Ticos and they took full advantage, tacking on a third goal when Jefferson Brenes launched a shot from distance that deflected slightly off a Honduran defender and into net to make it 3-1 in the 62’.

With the two-goal cushion, Costa Rica could play to their liking and handled their defensive duties with aplomb the rest of the way to pocket the 3-1 win to complete their 2023-24 CNL campaign.