Friday, September 20

Saprissa defeats Herediano in the final and becomes three-time champion of Costa Rica

Avatar of Jorge Hernandez

By Jorge Hernandez

Dec 18, 2023, 17:48 PM EST

Honduran striker Michaell Chirinos crowned the Saprissa three-time Costa Rican soccer champion after scoring andThe 1-0 winning goal in front of Herediano in the second leg of the Apertura Tournament final, for an overall result of 3-1.

With this result, Los Morados led by Vladimir Quesada achieved an increaser his title number 39, consolidating itself as the team with the most championships in the country. Their closest rival is Alajuelense with nine fewer titles.

During the first half of the final, coach Breance Camacho’s Herediano maintained great control of the game and showed moments of superiority on the field. However, despite his attempts, he was unable to equalize the series.

The Saprissistas, for their part, knowing that they arrived with an advantage from the first leg, took care of the overall score and waited for the opportunity to take the lead. In the 21st minute, Jamaican striker Javon East had a clear option, he lacked precision to define against goalkeeper Aarón Cruz.

The controversy arose when in the 29th minute referee Juan Gabriel Calderón annulled a goal against East for offside, although the decision raised certain doubts.

In the second half, the saprissistas They retreated to take care of the score and it was not until the end of the match at 90+1 when they scored the final 1-0 that decided the final.

The veteran Christian Bolaños came on as a substitute to say goodbye as a professional player and became the protagonist, after taking the ball and placing the pass for the Honduran Chirinos, who beat the goalkeeper and made the Ricardo Saprissa stadium explode.

*With information from EFE.

Keep reading:
· Saprissa takes advantage over Herediano in the final in Costa Rica
· Saprissa beats Motagua in the playoffs and qualifies for the 2024 Concacaf Champions League
· Saprissa fires its coach for racist insults to one of its players