Costa Rica Primera Division Wrap: Saprissa flawless after UCR scalp

Deportivo Saprissa remain unbeaten in the Costa Rica Primera Division after a 3-1 triumph over UCR, while title rivals Herediano also won.

David Ramirez struck twice for Saprissa, either side of Diego Madrigal’s goal, while Lucas Gomez scored for UCR, as the San Jose-based club claimed their eighth win of the season.

The victory took Saprissa to 28 points, although both second-placed Herediano and third side Alajuelense kept the pressure on the league leaders with wins over Puntarenas and Limon respectively.

In San Jose, Ramirez gave Saprissa the lead in the 16th minute and it was 2-0 at half-time following Madrigal’s 25th-minute effort.

Ramirez effectively ended the contest with his second goal just before the hour mark and although Gomez pulled one back for the visitors in the 63rd minute, Saprissa held on to stay unbeaten through 12 games this season.

In Heredia, the home side overcame a plucky Puntarenas side with three goals in 11 second-half minutes.

Jorge Arias put Herediano on top just before the half-hour mark with the opening goal of the game and although Puntarenas struck back thanks to Daniel Colindres’ penalty five minutes later, Minor Diaz ensured the hosts led 2-1 at half-time when he scored in the 40th minute.

Herediano blew the game open just after the hour mark when Anyelo Porras, Jose Sanchez and Jose Cancela scored in the 64th, 65th and 74th minutes respectively, while the visitors claimed a second goal through Tony Morales with a minute remaining.

In Alajuela, the hosts knocked off Limon 2-0 with a first-half penalty from Alejandro Alpizar putting Alajuelense on their way, while Allen Guevara capped off the win with a goal in the 68th minute.

In other results, Uruguay claimed a 3-0 win on the road against Santos de Guapiles, Cartagines drew 1-1 with Carmelita and Perez Zeledon gave up a lead twice in a 2-2 draw with Belen Siglo XXI.