Fello Meza rules again: Cartaginés topple the leaders and draw level

Saprissa arrived in Cartago full of confidence. They had just put six past Sporting, sat alone at the top and held a three-point lead over Cartaginés. But the Fello Meza has become a thorn in their side: they had already lost there in the 2026 Clausura, and in September Cartaginés knocked them out of the Central American Cup on the same pitch. On Sunday, under the morning sun and in front of stands painted blue, history repeated itself.

The hosts sounded an early warning. On 7 minutes Claudio Montero curled in a dangerous free kick that Abraham Madriz had to tip over for a corner. On 16 it was Saprissa appealing: Gerald Taylor went down in the box after a tussle with Luis Olivas, referee Juan Gabriel Calderón waved play on and VAR stayed silent.

The match turned on 34 minutes. Gerson Torres went in late and hard from behind on Gian Mauro Morera, and Calderón showed a straight red. Down to ten, Hernán Medford's side dropped deeper and Amarini Villatoro's team took control of the ball.

The goal came just before the break. On 43 minutes Montero tried his luck, the ball struck Sebastián Acuña and flew into Saprissa's own net, leaving Madriz no chance. Montero celebrated it as his own, roaring in front of the home fans as his teammates piled on.

Cartaginés thought they had a second on 50 minutes when Tepa González finished, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Even with ten men, Saprissa looked for an equaliser in the air: on 58 Kendall Waston headed a Mariano Torres cross just wide. At the other end, Madriz kept his side in it with a couple of saves.

The best chance to level came at the end. Substitute Bancy Hernández found himself facing goal with Kevin Briceño on the ground and dragged it wide. That was the last real opening; after that it was crosses into the box and blue clearances.

The 1-0 win keeps Cartaginés perfect at home this Apertura, six from six, and takes them to 24 points, level with Saprissa, who stay top on goal difference. There is no time to celebrate: on Wednesday Cartaginés host Luis Ángel Firpo in the qualifying series for the Concacaf Champions Cup, and on Saturday they face Herediano. Saprissa host San Carlos on Sunday.