Costa Rica began their 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a dramatic 4–3 victory over Surinam on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego. What looked like a straightforward win turned into one of the most exciting matches of the tournament so far.
Costa Rica took early control of the match. In the 14th minute, Alonso Martínez scored the opener. Just five minutes later, Manfred Ugalde converted a penalty to double their lead. At that point, it appeared Costa Rica was cruising toward a comfortable win.
But Surinam showed great resilience. Gyrano Kerk and Richonell Margaret scored two quick goals, leveling the match.
Soon after, a penalty awarded through VAR allowed Shaquille Pinas to put Surinam ahead 3–2. With this surprising turnaround, momentum shifted completely in Surinam’s favor.
Costa Rica responded with urgency. Josimar Alcócer made it 3–3 in the 76th minute, giving the team hope.
As the clock ticked into stoppage time, drama unfolded again. Ugalde was brought down in the box and calmly scored his second penalty of the night in the 103rd minute, securing a thrilling 4–3 win for Costa Rica.
This victory gives Costa Rica a strong start in Group A, with three vital points in hand. They are now well-positioned ahead of their final group match against the Dominican Republic. For Surinam, despite their impressive comeback, the result is a tough blow as they prepare to face a powerful Mexican team next.
LLUVIA DE GOLES EN EL DEBUT DE LOS 'PIOJOBOYS' 🇨🇷⚽🇸🇷
— Somos La Reta 🇲🇽 (@SomosLaReta) June 16, 2025
La Selección de Costa Rica venció 4-3 ante Surinam, en la jornada 1 del Grupo A de la Copa Oro 2025.
Los de Miguel Herrera ganaban 2-0, les remontaron en el segundo tiempo y rescataron el triunfo al 90+13' 👇 pic.twitter.com/4Rlw6s8GG4
Navas Returns; Injury Cloud Over Costa Rica Forward
One of the major highlights of the match was the return of goalkeeper Keylor Navas to international play. After being away from the national team for over a year, Navas was back in the spotlight and delivered when it mattered most.
His performance wasn’t about making multiple saves, but about delivering one critical stop in the final moments to deny Surinam a fourth goal.
Navas’s leadership and experience helped stabilize the team during intense moments in the match. His calm under pressure reminded fans why he has been Costa Rica’s most trusted man between the posts for over a decade.
However, the win came with a concern. Late in the match, forward Warren Madrigal went down with what looked like a serious ankle injury after a strong challenge. Medical staff rushed to help him, and while he was able to leave the field, the extent of his injury is still unclear. The team is expected to release a medical update soon.
If Madrigal is ruled out for the next games, Costa Rica will need to adjust their attacking strategy. Despite this setback, the team showed depth and determination — qualities that will be key if they hope to make a strong run in this tournament.
