MANAGUA, Nicaragua – The Final Round of the Concacaf Qualifiers to the 2026 FIFA World Cup continued with Nicaragua and Costa Rica drawing 1-1 in Group C on Friday at Estadio Nacional de Fútbol in Managua, Nicaragua.
Alonso Martínez came close to finding the opener for Costa Rica in the 16’, but his right-footed attempt from a tight angle was stopped by Nicaragua goalkeeper Miguel Rodríguez.
Nicaragua’s best chance in the first half came in the 41’ with a free kick from Junior Arteaga that was just wide of the top left corner.
The hosts were forced to play a man down the remainder of the match after Jason Coronel was shown a red card in the 54’.
Alexis Gamboa handed Costa Rica the lead in the 60’ with a towering header from the center of the box off a corner kick. Alejandro Bran provided the delivery on the play.
Byron Bonilla converted from the penalty spot in the 81’ to level the scoring for Nicaragua.
Both teams will carry on with their World Cup Qualifying efforts on Tuesday, when Nicaragua visits Honduras and Costa Rica hosts Haiti.
