Sporting FC and Alajuelense draw 1-1 in Apertura 2026 opener

Sporting FC Alajuelense Apertura 2026 penalty VAR Kenyel Michel

In the opening round of Costa Rica's Apertura 2026, Sporting FC and Liga Deportiva Alajuelense played to a 1‑1 stalemate at the Puente de Piedra stadium. Renzo Carballo put Sporting ahead, while Kenyel Michel equalised for Alajuelense late in the match.

A contentious penalty awarded to Sporting in the 67th minute was upheld by VAR; analyst Henry Bejarano said the foul was clear inside the box. The result placed both clubs level on points after the first matchday, with Deportivo Saprissa leading the table after a 5‑1 win over Pérez Zeledón. Saprissa director Erick Lonnis warned, "If we don't finish the season as champions in December, I'll leave on my own," underscoring the competitive stakes for the league's top clubs.

Sources

Andrés Carevic: "Alajuelense no nos generó peligro" (VIDEO) [everardoherrera.com]

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Sporting FC vs Alajuelense: ¿estuvo bien sancionado el penal a favor de los rojinegros? Esto dice el analista [www.lateja.cr]

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Vea el golazo que Sporting le anotó a Alajuelense, pasearon a la defensa [www.nacion.com]

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Golazo de Michel salvó a la Liga de perder ante Sporting [www.diarioextra.com]

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Atlas gana y Crespo recibirá un equipo con marca perfecta [www.excelsior.com.mx]

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Lesionado en Alajuelense: Ismael Rescalvo sufre una mala noticia antes del debut por Copa Centroamericana [futbolcentroamerica.com]

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