Costa Rica defeats Haiti, advances to U-20 Championship Semifinals

Costa Rica defeated Haiti in a penalty shootout to secure a place in the Semifinals and qualify for the 2027 FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup.

The 2026 Concacaf U-20 Championship continued with Costa Rica earning a 1-1 (5-3 on penalties) win over Haiti in the Quarterfinals on Tuesday at Estadio Universitario BUAP in Puebla, Mexico.

Haiti opened the scoring in the 9’ when Clavens Exantus – surrounded by four defenders – struck from the edge of the box, with his shot clipping the underside of the crossbar and finding the back of the net.

Yerlan Sosa then equalized for Costa Rica in the 55’ as he converted from the penalty spot.

Neither side was able to find the breakthrough in regulation or in extra time, forcing a penalty shootout.

Los Ticos were stellar in the shoutout, converting all five of their attempts. Haiti’s Marckidens Tanis sent his attempt high, proving to be the decisive miss.

With the result, Costa Rica advances to the Semifinals, where it will face the United States or Guatemala. The team also secured a place in the 2027 FIFA Men’s U-20 World Cup in Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.