Venue: Estadio Nacional de Fútbol, Managua
Date: September 6, 2025
Stage: Group C, Third Round – CONCACAF Final Stage of 2026 World Cup Qualification
Despite going down to 10 men, Nicaragua fought back with Byron Bonilla’s penalty to secure a crucial draw in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
Key Moments
- 54′ – Red Card: Nicaragua’s Jason Coronel was sent off after a serious foul on Alonso Martínez, reducing the hosts to ten men.
- 60′ – Costa Rica Takes the Lead: Alexis Gamboa headed in a corner delivered by Alejandro Bran, giving Costa Rica the advantage.
- 81′ – Nicaragua Equalizes: Following a VAR review for a foul on Ariel Arauz, Nicaragua was awarded a penalty. Byron Bonilla calmly slotted it past Keylor Navas to level the score.
The match concluded 1–1—a commendable result for Nicaragua under challenging circumstances.
The Context and Impact
Nicaragua: Holding the Fort
Trailing by one, being a man down, Nicaragua exhibited remarkable resilience. Their discipline and tactical adjustments earned them a hard-earned and morale-boosting point against a favored opponent. “No sé si es justo el marcador, pero fue un punto valioso para nosotros,” said Bonilla, expressing pride despite adversity.
Costa Rica: Hopes Dented
Costa Rica, under coach Miguel Herrera, controlled large portions of play. However, costly mistakes and defensive lapse handed Nicaragua an opportunity they seized. Herrera lamented: “We stopped doing our job… they died trying and found their equalizer from our mistake.”
Group C Standings Early Impression
With this draw and a 0–0 draw between Haiti and Honduras, all four teams in Group C currently have 1 point each. A tight battle looms ahead.
Group winners qualify directly, while best runners-up may still earn a playoff spot.
Bigger Picture & Significance
| Team | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|
| Nicaragua | Earned crucial point despite playing with 10 men |
| Costa Rica | Missed chance to assert dominance |
| Group Dynamics | Highly competitive; margins are razor-thin |