Costa Rica began their 2025 CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign with a victory over Suriname, with Manfred Ugalde playing a key role by scoring a penalty in the 19th minute. The match, held at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on June 16, 2025, saw Costa Rica secure a 2-1 lead by halftime, ultimately winning by that margin.
Costa Rica started strong, with Alonso MartÃnez scoring in the 13th minute. Shortly after, a penalty was awarded, and Manfred Ugalde stepped up to confidently convert it, giving Costa Rica a 2-0 advantage within the first 20 minutes of the match. However, Suriname responded in the 34th minute with a goal from Gyrano Kerk, assisted by Richonell Margaret, reducing the deficit to 2-1 before halftime.
The first half was lively, with both teams displaying attacking intent. Suriname, despite being down, continued to press for an equalizer, making it a challenging contest for Costa Rica. Keylor Navas, the experienced Costa Rican goalkeeper who recently came out of retirement, made a crucial save early in the match to prevent Suriname from opening the scoring.
Costa Rica maintained pressure in Suriname's zone, with Ugalde, MartÃnez, and Mora actively seeking to extend their lead, but they were unable to find the net. The second half saw Suriname making an early substitution, with Myenty Abena replacing Anfernee Dijksteel in an attempt to strengthen their defense and push for an equalizer.
Costa Rica's squad featured experienced players such as Keylor Navas, Carlos Mora, and Francisco Calvo, alongside emerging talents like Warren Madrigal. Suriname's team also included players based in Europe, such as Shaquille Pinas and Myenty Abena, who were expected to fortify their defense. Justin Lonwijk, on loan from Dynamo Kyiv, was tasked with providing creativity in midfield behind Gleofilo Vlijter.
Costa Rica's victory places them in a favorable position in Group A, especially after Mexico's win. The team's experience and attacking quality were expected to give them an edge, with Navas providing leadership at the back.
Looking ahead, Costa Rica will face the Dominican Republic on June 18, followed by a match against Mexico, which could determine the group's top finisher. Suriname will need to win their game against Dominican Republic and try to get a point against Costa Rica or Mexico to have a chance to get out of the group stage.
