Costa Rica Beats Nicaragua 1-0 in World Cup Qualifier as Navas Plays Through Injury

• oleh Agus Setiawan
• Nov, 20 2025

Costa Rica edged out Nicaragua 1-0 in a tense, high-stakes CONCACAF Final Round qualifier for the 2026 FIFA World CupEstadio Nacional on Monday night, October 13, 2025. The only goal came from Alonso Martínez in the 74th minute — a clinical finish off a flicked header by Yuggald — sealing a vital three points for the home side. What made it more remarkable? Keylor Navas, 38-year-old goalkeeper and Costa Rica’s long-time captain, played the full 90 minutes despite a nagging ankle injury that had him sidelined in training days earlier. His presence wasn’t just symbolic; it was structural. The defense held firm under rare pressure, and Navas made two critical saves, including a diving stop on Ariagner Smith’s 58th-minute strike. This wasn’t just another win. It was a lifeline.

Historical Weight and Tactical Reality

Costa Rica entered the match with a 17-1-2 head-to-head record against Nicaragua in official competitions — a dominance so absolute it borders on psychological. But this wasn’t just about history. It was about survival. With Group C locked in a tight race between Costa Rica, Honduras, Haiti, and Nicaragua, every point was a currency. Nicaragua, meanwhile, had lost seven of their last 10 away games and hadn’t won in four straight matches on the road. Their only hope? A shock. They came close. Twice.

Coach Marco Antonio Figueroa of Nicaragua made smart adjustments. He brought back Matias Belli Moldskred and Juan Luis Perez from injury, and suspended forward Jason Coronel returned to start. The midfield, anchored by 33-year-old captain Juan Barrera, pressed high and disrupted Costa Rica’s rhythm early. But when it mattered — when the ball was in the box — Nicaragua lacked the final touch. Ariagner Smith, who’d scored four goals in his last three club matches for Real Estelí, was isolated. He had space, but no service.

Costa Rica’s Balancing Act

For Costa Rica, the challenge was managing fatigue and fitness. Veteran midfielder Celso Borges, 37, remained on the bench after a lingering muscle issue. His absence was felt in transition play. But the team compensated with youth. Warren Madrigal, 23, returned from a fibula fracture suffered in January 2025 — his first start since the injury — and provided pace on the wing. Defender Jeyland Mitchell, 24, played 87 minutes with a yellow card already on his record. One more caution, and he’s suspended for the next match against Haiti. That’s the kind of tension that defines this stage of qualifying.

Defense was the story. Alexis Gamboa, Kendall Waston, and Francisco Calvo formed a compact backline that absorbed wave after wave of Nicaraguan attacks. The midfield trio of Allan Cruz, Josimar Alcócer, and Aarón Murillo worked tirelessly, but it was the throw-in in the 74th minute that changed everything. A long, looping ball from the right flank — no one marked, no one expecting it — found Yuggald at the back post. His header, a perfect downward flick, landed at Martínez’s feet. One touch. One shot. Goal. No celebration. Just relief.

What’s Next? The Real Test Begins

Costa Rica’s next match is November 14, 2025, in Port-au-Prince, when they face Haiti — a team that just stunned Jamaica 2-1 in their last qualifier. Haiti’s defense is porous, but their counterattack is lethal. Costa Rica can’t afford another sluggish performance. Meanwhile, Honduras, sitting just one point behind in the standings, beat El Salvador 3-1 on the same night, making their final match against Costa Rica on November 18, 2025, a potential decider.

For Nicaragua, the road ahead is steep. They’re now five points behind Costa Rica with only two matches left. Even a win over Haiti on November 18 won’t be enough unless results go their way in other fixtures. Their best hope? A miracle in the final game against Honduras — and a Haiti loss. It’s a long shot. But in World Cup qualifying, miracles happen.

Why This Matters Beyond the Scoreline

This wasn’t just about points. It was about identity. Costa Rica, once a powerhouse in CONCACAF, has struggled to recapture its 2014 World Cup magic. This win, gritty and unglamorous, is a signal: they’re still in the hunt. Keylor Navas, playing through pain, isn’t just a goalkeeper — he’s a symbol of resilience. For Nicaragua, the fight continues, but the gap is widening. The gap isn’t just in talent. It’s in experience, in pressure handling, in belief.

As CONCACAF’s official qualifying document noted, only the top three teams from this final round qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup, co-hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the United States. The fourth-place team enters a playoff. Costa Rica is clinging to third. Honduras is breathing down their neck. Haiti is lurking. And Nicaragua? They’re already playing for pride.