LD Alajuelense survived a spirited comeback to defeat Inter de San Carlos 3-2 in a five-goal Costa Rica Primera Division thriller on October 18, 2026, at Estadio Carlos Ugalde Álvarez. The visitors built a two-goal lead, saw it erased, and then found a late winner to secure three hard-fought points on the road.

Match overview

Alajuelense started with purpose and controlled the early exchanges through quick passing in midfield and aggressive pressing in Inter’s half. The breakthrough came in the 12th minute when Andrés Quesada arrived at the back post to finish a flowing move down the right. Alajuelense doubled the advantage in the 34th minute, with Mauricio Villalobos striking from the edge of the area after Inter failed to clear a corner properly.

Inter de San Carlos refused to fold. The home side increased the tempo after halftime and pulled one back in the 55th minute through Kevin Sancho, whose curled effort from outside the box gave the goalkeeper no chance. The stadium came alive, and Inter equalized in the 71st minute when Bryan Rojas headed home a deep cross. Just as the match seemed headed for a draw, Alajuelense found the decisive moment in the 86th minute, with Daniel Chacón finishing a quick counterattack to make it 3-2.

Key moments

• 12’ — Alajuelense open the scoring: Andrés Quesada finishes a sweeping move at the back post.
• 34’ — Visitors double the lead: Mauricio Villalobos punishes a loose clearance with a low strike from the edge of the box.
• 55’ — Inter respond: Kevin Sancho curls a superb effort into the top corner to halve the deficit.
• 71’ — Inter equalize: Bryan Rojas rises highest to head home a cross and send the home crowd into celebration.
• 86’ — Alajuelense win it late: Daniel Chacón breaks forward and finishes calmly to settle a dramatic contest.

Tactical story

Alajuelense dictated the first half with a patient possession game, using their midfield triangle to pin Inter deep and create space on the flanks. Their pressing was well organized, and Inter struggled to play through the middle, often resorting to long balls toward the forwards. The two-goal lead reflected that control, but it also masked the danger of Inter’s direct approach.

After halftime, Inter pushed their wingers higher and began winning second balls in midfield. That shift allowed them to sustain pressure and deliver more crosses into the box, which produced both goals. Alajuelense responded by tightening their defensive line and looking for transitions. The winning goal came exactly from that adjustment: a turnover in midfield, a quick vertical pass, and a composed finish from Chacón. It was a reminder of Alajuelense’s quality in decisive moments, even when their control wavered.

Standout players

Andrés Quesada and Mauricio Villalobos gave Alajuelense the attacking foundation with intelligent movement and clinical finishes. Quesada’s timing in the box was excellent, while Villalobos dictated portions of the match from midfield and delivered the second goal. Daniel Chacón will take the headlines for the late winner, but his overall energy in transition was equally important.

For Inter de San Carlos, Kevin Sancho was the catalyst for the comeback, combining technical quality with relentless running. Bryan Rojas provided a strong focal point in attack and scored the equalizer with a powerful header. Inter goalkeeper Esteban Ramírez also made several important saves before the late winner, keeping his side within reach during Alajuelense’s best spells.

Table and season impact

The victory keeps Alajuelense firmly in the race at the top end of the Costa Rica Primera Division standings, reinforcing their reputation as a side capable of winning even when matches become chaotic. For Inter de San Carlos, the defeat is painful because the comeback had created a platform for at least a point, but the performance offers encouragement for the matches ahead.

In a league where home form is crucial, Inter will rue the timing of the third goal and the ease with which Alajuelense broke forward in the closing minutes. Alajuelense, meanwhile, will value the resilience shown after surrendering a two-goal lead. A 3-2 away win in a hostile environment is the kind of result that can build belief over the course of a season, and it adds another memorable chapter to the head-to-head between these two sides.