Costa Rica welcomes Haiti with semifinal berth at stake

The Costa Rica men’s national soccer team will host Haiti on Sunday at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in Tibás with a berth in the CONCACAF Nations League semifinals at stake.

La Sele and Curaçao are tied in points atop Group D, though Costa Rica has the advantage due to goal differential.

A win or draw against Haiti will send Costa Rica through to the semifinals. Meanwhile, a two-goal victory for the Haitians would propel them into first place and eliminate La Sele.

While Costa Rica has historically had success against Haiti, recent history is less positive. During the 2019 Gold Cup, Haiti stunned La Sele with a 2-1 victory at a neutral site. And earlier in the CONCACAF Nations League, the two teams battled to a 1-1 draw.

During its brief stint as La Sele’s home venue, Ricardo Saprissa Stadium received international recognition for its intimidating atmosphere and the home-field advantage provided by its hard artificial turf.

Sports Illustrated once called it a “house of horrors” for the United States men’s national team, noting that “the stadium itself gives Costa Rican players extra confidence.”

Between 2005 and 2009, Costa Rica hosted World Cup qualifying matches at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium, but La Sele has since played the majority of its home games at the new National Stadium in La Sabana.

Tickets for Costa Rica vs. Haiti can be purchased at specialticket.net, authorized Servimás and Grupo Mutual locations.

Prices start at 5,000 colones (about $8.50).