San Diego, CA - In their opening match of the 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup, Costa Rica faced off against Suriname at Snapdragon Stadium on June 15, 2025, where Alonso Martínez's early goal set the tone for "Los Ticos". The 26-year-old, who plays as a winger for New York City FC, demonstrated his clinical finishing ability to give Costa Rica a crucial lead.

The match began with high stakes for both teams, nestled in Group A alongside Mexico and the Dominican Republic. An early advantage was crucial. Costa Rica, led by Miguel Herrera and the experienced goalkeeper Keylor Navas, aimed to leverage their strong qualifying momentum. Meanwhile, Suriname, making only their fourth Gold Cup appearance, sought a historic breakthrough against a team they had never defeated.

The game started with immediate intensity. By the 4th minute, Martínez found himself in the box, attempting to shoot when he went down under contact from Suriname's goalkeeper, Vaessen. The referee, however, booked Martínez for simulation, adding early drama to the contest. Despite this setback, Martínez quickly redeemed himself.

Around the 13th minute, Martínez showcased his determination and skill. In a crowded play involving three players near the goal, Martínez managed to win the ball and lightly tap it into the net. This clinical finish put Costa Rica ahead, marking a significant moment in the match and highlighting Martínez's pivotal role in the team's attack.

Costa Rica continued to press their advantage. In the 19th minute, Manfred Ugalde converted a penalty, extending Costa Rica's lead to 2-0. The penalty was a result of Costa Rica's sustained pressure and ability to create dangerous opportunities in Suriname's penalty area.

However, Suriname showed resilience. In the 34th minute, Gyrano Kerk scored with a header, assisted by Richonell Margaret, reducing the deficit and injecting new life into the game. Kerk's goal demonstrated Suriname's fighting spirit and their capability to respond to Costa Rica's dominance.

Despite several attempts, including a dangerous cross from Martínez in the 22nd minute and continuous pressure from Manfred Ugalde and others, Costa Rica was unable to increase their lead in the first half. The first half concluded with Costa Rica maintaining a 2-1 advantage.

Costa Rica and Suriname have a history of competitive matches. Prior to this encounter, they had played seven times, with Costa Rica winning six. Their most recent match was a 1-1 draw in the CONCACAF Nations League. Costa Rica has been dominant in their recent matches, scoring 23 goals in four competitive games and winning their last four competitive matches. Suriname, however, came into the game with an unbeaten run in 2025, demonstrating their potential to challenge Costa Rica.

This win places Costa Rica in a good position in Group A, but with tough matches against Mexico and the Dominican Republic to come, they will need to maintain their focus. For Suriname, the defeat is a setback, but their performance showed they are capable of competing, and they will look to bounce back in their remaining group games.