Curacao vs Costa Rica: Wild 4-3 Nations League Comeback

Costa Rica looked unstoppable after 45 minutes. A 3-0 lead at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium seemed to settle the contest. However, the Curacao vs Costa Rica clash turned into a stunning turnaround.

Kenji Gorré scored twice, Tahith Chong struck a screamer, and Jordi Paulina sealed the shocker. As a result, Curacao completed a 4-3 win that reshaped the Concacaf Nations League standings.

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Costa Rica's Fast Start at Ricardo Saprissa Stadium

Costa Rica entered the window aiming to build early momentum in League A. Fernando Batista replaced Miguel Herrera as Costa Rica’s coach before this window. Thursday’s fast start looked like the ideal debut. Orlando Sinclair opened the scoring inside four minutes. He pounced on a rushed clearance from the Curacao backline.

Orlando Sinclair anotando su primer gol con selección ¡Así empieza una gran historia! pic.twitter.com/Q16QBKsIQM
— TD Más (@tdmascrc) September 25, 2026

Some reports even had Sinclair’s opener arriving inside three minutes. Either way, Curacao never got settled early on. Carlos Mora doubled the lead in the 24th minute. He struck first-time after a stray back-pass fell into his path.

Moreover, Mora added a second goal in first-half stoppage time. He controlled a loose ball and drilled a shot from outside the box.

Carlos Mora por dos. Otro golazo y nos vamos al descanso con un claro 3-0 pic.twitter.com/57lnhn2azE
— Cristian Williams (@blancoYnegroCR) September 25, 2026

As a result, Costa Rica led 3-0 at the break. The home crowd sensed a comfortable night ahead. Meanwhile, Curacao struggled to build any rhythm. Fernando Batista’s side pressed high and forced repeated turnovers.

Curacao had conceded first in each of their last several fixtures. Thursday continued that worrying trend early on. Costa Rica had not lost an opening match in this group before. Therefore, the scoreline stunned everyone inside the stadium.

The Turning Point: Gorré Sparks Curacao's Fightback

Kenji Gorré pulled one back in the 62nd minute. He finished a low pass from Jordi Paulina inside the box. Jordi Paulina supplied the assist for Gorré’s first goal. His delivery from the right sliced through a tired Costa Rica back line.

📢ASI FUERÓN NARRADOS LOS GOLES DE CURAZAO🇨🇼‼️
👉En un partido que parecía para los de Batista, Curazao🇨🇼 demostró por qué fueron al mundial y Remontaron un 3-0a Costa Rica🇨🇷 llevándose el triunfo pic.twitter.com/XX33MPgKe9
— BILLETE AL MUNDIAL (@BilleteAl25376) September 25, 2026

Four minutes later, Tahith Chong levelled the momentum. He curled a powerful strike from outside the area. Suddenly, the away side believed a comeback was possible. Costa Rica’s confidence began to waver.

What a goal from Tahith Chong against Costa Rica 👏 pic.twitter.com/83XvI8lgKW
— Mainly Things Sheffield United (@AllThingsBlades) September 25, 2026

Advocaat's Substitutions Change the Game

Dick Advocaat’s changes injected fresh energy up front. Livano Comenencia troubled the Costa Rica defense with a rasping shot.

His effort cannoned off the post, and Gorré reacted fastest. He drilled the rebound home to make it 3-3 in the 78th minute.

pic.twitter.com/T93vaQS82L #KenjiGorré consigue doblete y #Curazao le empata a #CostaRica
— Everardo Herrera (@alpiedeldeporte) September 25, 2026

In addition, Juninho Bacuna added a spark from the left flank. His cross set up Paulina’s dramatic winner four minutes later.

What a goal from Jordi Paulina. Holy heck. For the win. pic.twitter.com/mYYeh8f8kT
— The International Window (@windowintlpod) September 25, 2026

Curacao vs Costa Rica: Group A Standings and the Road Ahead

The final score read Curacao 4, Costa Rica 3, one of the group’s biggest swings so far. Carlos Mora called the second half collapse “entirely our responsibility” afterward.

Elsewhere in Group A, Dominican Republic beat Nicaragua 3-2, while Haiti edged Trinidad and Tobago 3-2. Consequently, Curacao, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic all sit level on three points. Costa Rica now occupies fourth place after Matchday 1.

Sunday’s fixtures will shape the group further. Costa Rica hosts Haiti, Curacao welcomes Nicaragua, and Trinidad and Tobago travel to face the Dominican Republic.

Beyond the group stage, the top two finishers advance to the quarterfinals. There, they joined Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Panama, who qualified directly. Furthermore, quarterfinal winners will punch a ticket to the 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup.

A strong quarterfinal run could also boost seeding for future World Cup qualifying cycles.

The Concacaf Nations League has run since 2018, giving nations regular competitive fixtures between World Cups. Meanwhile, the United States won three straight titles from 2021 to 2024, and Mexico lifted the trophy in 2025.Group B action also begins Friday, with Honduras hosting Suriname, El Salvador facing Martinique, and Jamaica meeting Guatemala.

Why Curacao's Comeback Worked

Advocaat’s bench depth made the difference in the second half. Curacao’s substitutes brought pace and directness that Costa Rica could not contain.

Kenji Gorré’s brace made him the night’s standout performer, capping a personal double that swung the entire contest. Set piece resilience also played a role. Gorré’s second goal came from a loose ball that Curacao reacted to first. In short, composure under pressure separated the two sides after halftime.

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