FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf

Costa Rica vs Nicaragua, 2026 World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf, Third Round

· FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf
Costa Rica
  • 12': Alonso Martínez
  • 28': Alonso Martínez
  • 49': Manfred Ugalde
  • 90'+4': Francisco Calvo
FT
4 - 1
Nicaragua
  • 26': Junior Arteaga

About

Costa Rica are hosting Nicaragua at Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, Costa Rica, starting on . The match is a part of the FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf.

Match Timeline

  • 0': Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
  • 0': First Half begins.
  • 4': Aaron Murillo (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 4': Foul by Ariel Arauz (Nicaragua).
  • 6': Emmanuel Gómez (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 6': Foul by Kendall Waston (Costa Rica).
  • 6': Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 8': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Justing Cano.
  • 9': Attempt saved. Juan Vargas (Costa Rica) left footed shot from the right side of the box is saved in the top right corner by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua).
  • 9': Attempt saved. Alonso Martínez (Costa Rica) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom right corner by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua).
  • 9': Attempt saved. Alonso Martínez (Costa Rica) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the centre of the goal by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua).
  • 9': Attempt blocked. Juan Vargas (Costa Rica) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked.
  • 9': Offside, Costa Rica. Alonso Martínez is caught offside.
  • 11': Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 11': Foul by Haxzel Quirós (Costa Rica).
  • 12': Goal! Costa Rica 1, Nicaragua 0. Alonso Martínez (Costa Rica) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom left corner. Assisted by Manfred Ugalde with a headed pass.
  • 15': Attempt missed. Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica) right footed shot from the right side of the box is close, but misses to the right. Assisted by Haxzel Quirós.
  • 16': Foul by Josimar Alcócer (Costa Rica).
  • 16': Justing Cano (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 20': Delay in match because of an injury Aaron Murillo (Costa Rica).
  • 21': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 22': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Henry Niño.
  • 23': Attempt saved. Josimar Alcócer (Costa Rica) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua).
  • 24': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Christian Reyes.
  • 24': Attempt missed. Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Joseph Mora with a cross following a corner.
  • 25': Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 25': Foul by Juan Vargas (Costa Rica).
  • 26': Goal! Costa Rica 1, Nicaragua 1. Junior Arteaga (Nicaragua) right footed shot from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by Bancy Hernández.
  • 28': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Christian Reyes.
  • 28': Goal! Costa Rica 2, Nicaragua 1. Alonso Martínez (Costa Rica) right footed shot from very close range to the top left corner. Assisted by Kendall Waston with a headed pass following a corner.
  • 31': Delay in match because of an injury Aaron Murillo (Costa Rica).
  • 32': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 32': Substitution, Costa Rica. Guillermo Villalobos replaces Aaron Murillo because of an injury.
  • 33': Attempt missed. Alonso Martínez (Costa Rica) right footed shot from the centre of the box is high and wide to the right.
  • 35': Ariel Arauz (Nicaragua) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 35': Foul by Guillermo Villalobos (Costa Rica).
  • 36': Attempt missed. Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) right footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
  • 36': Foul by Josimar Alcócer (Costa Rica).
  • 36': Justing Cano (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 38': Delay in match (Nicaragua).
  • 39': Delay over. They are ready to continue.
  • 41': Offside, Costa Rica. Joseph Mora is caught offside.
  • 42': Foul by Josimar Alcócer (Costa Rica).
  • 42': Justing Cano (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 43': Attempt blocked. Manfred Ugalde (Costa Rica) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Kenneth Vargas.
  • 43': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Henry Niño.
  • 44': Attempt missed. Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) header from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Josimar Alcócer with a cross following a corner.
  • 44': Attempt missed. Manfred Ugalde (Costa Rica) right footed shot from the right side of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Alonso Martínez.
  • 45': Attempt blocked. Joseph Mora (Costa Rica) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
  • 45': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Jason Coronel.
  • 45': Attempt missed. Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left following a corner.
  • 45': Christian Reyes (Nicaragua) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 45': Fourth official has announced 4 minutes of added time.
  • 45'+3': Offside, Nicaragua. Bancy Hernández is caught offside.
  • 45'+4': First Half ends, Costa Rica 2, Nicaragua 1.
  • 45': Second Half begins Costa Rica 2, Nicaragua 1.
  • 45': Substitution, Nicaragua. Óscar Acevedo replaces Christian Reyes.
  • 46': Corner, Nicaragua. Conceded by Haxzel Quirós.
  • 49': Goal! Costa Rica 3, Nicaragua 1. Manfred Ugalde (Costa Rica) left footed shot from outside the box to the centre of the goal. Assisted by Alonso Martínez.
  • 51': Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 51': Foul by Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica).
  • 52': Foul by Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua).
  • 52': Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 54': Foul by Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua).
  • 54': Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 57': Attempt missed. Haxzel Quirós (Costa Rica) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right. Assisted by Manfred Ugalde.
  • 58': Substitution, Nicaragua. Byron Bonilla replaces Emmanuel Gómez.
  • 58': Foul by Guillermo Villalobos (Costa Rica).
  • 58': Jason Coronel (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 58': Byron Bonilla (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 58': Foul by Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica).
  • 59': Handball by Ariel Arauz (Nicaragua).
  • 61': Foul by Juan Barrera (Nicaragua).
  • 61': Manfred Ugalde (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 62': Foul by Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua).
  • 62': Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 62': Substitution, Costa Rica. Allan Cruz replaces Alonso Martínez.
  • 64': Foul by Kendall Waston (Costa Rica).
  • 64': Juan Barrera (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 65': Substitution, Nicaragua. Marlon López replaces Ariel Arauz.
  • 65': Substitution, Nicaragua. Widman Talavera replaces Junior Arteaga.
  • 66': Attempt missed. Widman Talavera (Nicaragua) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Bancy Hernández with a cross.
  • 67': Corner, Nicaragua. Conceded by Haxzel Quirós.
  • 69': Foul by Manfred Ugalde (Costa Rica).
  • 69': Jason Coronel (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 69': Foul by Marlon López (Nicaragua).
  • 69': Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 70': Foul by Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua).
  • 70': Kenneth Vargas (Costa Rica) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 72': Foul by Josimar Alcócer (Costa Rica).
  • 72': Josué Quijano (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 73': Substitution, Nicaragua. Jonathan Moncada replaces Juan Barrera.
  • 74': Substitution, Costa Rica. Andy Rojas replaces Kenneth Vargas.
  • 74': Substitution, Costa Rica. Warren Madrigal replaces Manfred Ugalde.
  • 74': Byron Bonilla (Nicaragua) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 74': Foul by Andy Rojas (Costa Rica).
  • 75': Byron Bonilla (Nicaragua) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 75': Foul by Andy Rojas (Costa Rica).
  • 76': Andy Rojas (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
  • 76': Foul by Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua).
  • 76': Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 78': Corner, Costa Rica. Conceded by Jason Coronel.
  • 79': Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 79': Foul by Haxzel Quirós (Costa Rica).
  • 79': Haxzel Quirós (Costa Rica) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
  • 80': Byron Bonilla (Nicaragua) wins a free kick on the left wing.
  • 80': Foul by Guillermo Villalobos (Costa Rica).
  • 81': Corner, Nicaragua. Conceded by Guillermo Villalobos.
  • 81': Attempt missed. Jonathan Moncada (Nicaragua) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Widman Talavera with a cross following a corner.
  • 82': Attempt blocked. Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) right footed shot from a difficult angle and long range on the left is blocked. Assisted by Jonathan Moncada.
  • 83': Attempt saved. Warren Madrigal (Costa Rica) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the top centre of the goal by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua). Assisted by Josimar Alcócer.
  • 84': Foul by Widman Talavera (Nicaragua).
  • 84': Guillermo Villalobos (Costa Rica) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
  • 86': Attempt missed. Josué Quijano (Nicaragua) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Widman Talavera.
  • 87': Attempt saved. Bancy Hernández (Nicaragua) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Keylor Navas (Costa Rica). Assisted by Óscar Acevedo.
  • 90': Fourth official has announced 3 minutes of added time.
  • 90'+1': Attempt saved. Haxzel Quirós (Costa Rica) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Miguel Rodríguez (Nicaragua). Assisted by Guillermo Villalobos.
  • 90'+1': Offside, Costa Rica. Warren Madrigal is caught offside.
  • 90'+3': Foul by Óscar Acevedo (Nicaragua).
  • 90'+3': Warren Madrigal (Costa Rica) wins a free kick on the right wing.
  • 90'+4': Attempt blocked. Kendall Waston (Costa Rica) header from the centre of the box is blocked. Assisted by Allan Cruz with a cross.
  • 90'+4': Goal! Costa Rica 4, Nicaragua 1. Francisco Calvo (Costa Rica) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner following a set piece situation.
  • 90'+6': Second Half ends, Costa Rica 4, Nicaragua 1.
  • 0': Match ends, Costa Rica 4, Nicaragua 1.

Game Information

Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifying - Concacaf

Venue: Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica
Location: Estadio Nacional de Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Attendance: 30,927

WCQ - Concacaf Table

# TEAM GP GD PTS
1 Haiti 6 +3 11
2 Honduras 6 +3 9
3 Costa Rica 6 +2 7
4 Nicaragua 6 -8 4
Full Table

Line-Ups

CRC Costa Rica (5-3-2)

No. Name
1 Keylor Navas (GK)
4 Juan Pablo Vargas
15 Francisco Calvo
19 Kendall Waston Yellow Card
8 Joseph Mora
20 Haxzel Quirós Yellow Card
2 Aaron Murillo
10 Josimar Alcócer
11 Kenneth Vargas
9 Manfred Ugalde
12 Alonso Martínez
Costa Rica Substitutes:
Esteban Alvarado, Álvaro Zamora, Carlos Mora, Andy Rojas, Creichel Pérez, Allan Cruz, Guillermo Villalobos, Warren Madrigal, Julio Cascante, Jeyland Mitchell, Alexandre Lezcano, Alejandro Bran.

NCA Nicaragua (3-4-1-2)

No. Name
1 Miguel Rodríguez (GK)
21 Christian Reyes Yellow Card
4 Henry Niño
5 Justing Cano
14 Jason Coronel
16 Junior Arteaga
13 Ariel Araúz
6 Emmanuel Gómez
2 Josué Quijano
18 Bancy Hernández
11 Juan Barrera
Nicaragua Substitutes:
Oscar Acevedo, Junior Delgado, Anyelo Velásquez, Jonathan Moncada, Alyer López, Evert Martínez, Ariagner Smith, Marlon López, Brandón Mayorga, Byron Bonilla, Jorge García, Widman Talavera.

WCQ - Concacaf News

Concacaf reveals 2030 World Cup qualifying path, with 6 places
Concacaf reveals 2030 World Cup qualifying path, with 6 places

Concacaf says it will have six automatic qualifying spots in the 2030 World Cup and a seventh will be available as part of an intercontinental playoff.

Panama official who fat-shamed female player banned again
Panama official who fat-shamed female player banned again

Days after Panama qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, FIFA banned the country's federation president for failing to respect a previous ban imposed for fat-shaming a women's national team star.

2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it
2026 World Cup: Who has qualified, and how the rest can make it

The race to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup is drawing to a close. Here's how it's looking around the globe.

World Cup playoff draw: Italy get N. Ireland, Wales or Bosnia
World Cup playoff draw: Italy get N. Ireland, Wales or Bosnia

Italy will first host Northern Ireland in a World Cup qualifying playoff in March but would then need to win on the road to reach its first tournament after back-to-back failures at this stage.

2026 World Cup squads ranked again: All 64 national teams that could still win next summer
2026 World Cup squads ranked again: All 64 national teams that could still win next summer

There are still 64 national teams that can win the FIFA World Cup next summer. Let's go through them all and rank where they stand.