Saprissa routs Cartaginés, Alajuelense beats Herediano in first leg of Costa Rica playoffs

Saprissa dealt a decisive blow against Cartaginés with a 4-0 victory on Sunday in the first leg of the semifinals of the Clausura Championship of Costa Rica.

The four Saprissa goals were recorded in a span of nine minutes, between 63 and 72, through Michael Barrantes, Ariel Rodríguez, Christian Bolaños and Johan Venegas. Bolaños marked his sixteenth tally further solidified his position as the tournament’s top goal-scorer.

¡Qué golazo el de Barrantes! 🚀

Gooooool del @SaprissaOficial ⚽️ pic.twitter.com/kN5wlCu4tR

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 14, 2020

¡Bolaños sigue 🔥 no perdona!

Goleada en el Fello Meza ⚽⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/q6G4jsOcmT

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 14, 2020

The win leaves this series all but decided, though the return match remains to be played Wednesday at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium in Tibás. Cartaginés must prevail by a difference of five or more goals to advance.

In the other first leg of the semifinals, Alajuelense defeated reigning champion Herediano 2-0, with goals from Honduran Alex López (29) and Ariel Lassiter (78).

¡Gooooool manudo 🔴⚫️!

Bombazo de Alex López 🚀 pic.twitter.com/RfzobkCCMa

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 15, 2020

¡Qué golazo el de Lassiter! 👌🔴⚫️

La puso donde nadie se la esperaba… pic.twitter.com/qXAW1T1FDK

— FUTV (@FUTVCR) June 15, 2020

The Alajuelense-Herediano matchup is a rematch of the Apertura 2019 final.

The return will be played this Wednesday at the Eladio Rosabal Stadium in Heredia.

All matches in Costa Rica are held behind closed doors and with strict sanitary measures due to the coronavirus pandemic.

At this stage, the away goals rule is applied, in case the series end up equal in points and goals.