Costa Rica edge Suriname with stoppage-time penalty in Gold Cup thriller

Costa Rica snatched a dramatic 4-3 victory over Suriname in their CONCACAF Gold Cup opener, courtesy of a stoppage-time penalty, by Manfred Ugalde, that sealed crucial three points in Group A game on Sunday night in San Diego.

With the match tied 3-3 heading into the final moments, Suriname's Dion Malone committed a foul handing Costa Rica a spot kick in the 13th minute of the stoppage time.

Ugalde, who earlier scored from a penalty in the 9th minute, made no mistake as he converted the winner with a right-footed shot to the bottom right corner.



Costa Rica opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a close-range finish from Alonso Martinez, then doubled their lead just five minutes later as Ugalde converted a penalty to make it 2-0.

But Suriname fought back impressively, with Gyrano Kerk scoring in the 34th minute and Richonell Margaret equalizing in the 59th.

Shaquille Pinas then put Suriname ahead 3-2 with a penalty in the 76th minute. Costa Rica responded immediately, as Josimar Alcocer leveled the match.

Both sides pushed for a winner in the closing moments, but it was Ugalde’s penalty in the dying stages that sealed Costa Rica’s dramatic 4-3 victory.