Saprissa rallies to tie Alajuelense in Clásico without fans

Deportivo Saprissa recovered from a two-goal deficit and rescued a 2-2 draw against Liga Deportiva Alajuelense in Sunday night’s Costa Rican soccer classic.

The match marked the first between the bitter rivals to be played entirely behind closed doors, a measure taken in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Two goals from Ariel Rodríguez (67th and 84th minutes) pulled Saprissa even after Allen Guevara and Ariel Lassiter (30th and 54th) appeared to give Alajuela a commanding lead.

¡Tenemos clásico!

Goooool de Ariel Rodríguez 👌¡Saprissa viene con todo! pic.twitter.com/coIkqOqxdo

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 1, 2020

¡Doblete de Ariel Rodríguez y empate!

¡Juegazo! Levantando las manos #CLÁSICOxFUTV pic.twitter.com/yvm9a5D3LS

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 1, 2020

The result allowed Saprissa to maintain its distance of seven points over Alajuelense atop the Clausura tournament table with just three match days remaining.

If on the following date Saprissa beats Jicaral, it will secure first place in the qualifying stage and earn better positioning for the playoff rounds.

The draw from Alajuela opens the opportunity for reigning champion Herediano — which beat Santos 3-1 — to aspire to second place.

The date sentenced the descent of the La U Universitarios to the lower division, thanks to the beating (5-0) imposed by Jicaral and Limón’s draw (1-1) against Pérez Zeledón.

Tabla de posiciones al finalizar la jornada 19 ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/IvW6TNamEi

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 1, 2020