Herediano stuns Saprissa and wins Apertura 2018

Club Sport Herediano stunned Deportivo Saprissa, 3-2 (5-4 aggregate), on Sunday night to win Costa Rica’s Apertura championship.

“El Team” silenced a sold-out Ricardo Saprissa Aymá Stadium that had filled expecting a celebration after their side had earned a road tie in the first leg of the final. Instead, Herediano came from behind to win its 27th title, with Aldo Magaña’s goal in the second half of extra time the winner.

¡Goooool de Herediano!

Aldo Magaña deja en silencio el Ricardo Saprissa. pic.twitter.com/mRbntrd7Hg

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) December 24, 2018

Saprissa twice held leads Sunday, striking in the first half to go up 1-0 and regaining a 2-1 advantage in the 66th minute.

¡Gooool de @Johan_VenegasCR ! @SaprissaOficial arriba en la #FinalCR Ver más: https://t.co/IIB2xNb4aw pic.twitter.com/0MtniUBjGm

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) December 23, 2018

Both times, Herediano found the equalizer. In the 48th minute, Jimmy Marin’s lobbed goal gave “El Team” life, and Cristian Reyes scored the goal that would ultimately force the extra 30 minutes.

¡Toda la clase de Marín, golazo! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Mja57XOZ5Q

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) December 23, 2018

¡Gooool del Herediano! Cayó el empate por parte de Cristian Reyes.

¡Partidazo! Ver más: https://t.co/IIB2xNb4aw pic.twitter.com/3QqSsB3LlA

— Teletica Deportes (@TeleticaTD7) December 23, 2018

There, Herediano took advantage of a 10-man Saprissa side, and Magaña dealt the final blow.