Cartaginés defeats Herediano 1-0 in Costa Rican Apertura 2026

Club Sport Cartaginés secured a 1-0 victory against Club Sport Herediano in Matchday 6 of the Apertura 2026 tournament. Joaquín Alonso Hernández scored the decisive goal in the 43rd minute, propelling Cartaginés to second place in the standings with 12 points.

Following the match, Cartaginés manager Amarini Villatoro addressed rumors regarding a potential return to coaching in Guatemala, stating that he is fully committed to his current project in Costa Rica and that no official proposals exist. He noted that his continuity depends on team results and his commitment to the board.

In contrast, Herediano remains in a crisis, sitting at the bottom of the league table with only four points. The club, which is the defending national champion, has struggled with defensive vulnerabilities and a lack of scoring, marking their worst start since 2022. Players expressed the need to apologize to fans and work toward recovery.

Additionally, Cartaginés player Diego González discussed his desire to pursue Costa Rican citizenship after six years in the country, expressing his ambition to eventually play for the Costa Rican national team.