Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2025. 8:38 am CST.
Puerto Rican Joel Burgos scored Verdes’ only goal against Costa Rica side Club Sport Cartaginés in a lopsided 8-1 loss on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Estadio José Rafael “Fello” Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Verdes FC
By Rubén Morales: Verdes FC’s 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup campaign came to a crushing end on Wednesday night with an 8–1 loss to CS Cartaginés at Estadio José Rafael “Fello” Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica. The defeat marks not only one of the club’s worst results in international competition, but also a bitter conclusion to a tournament that began with high hopes and ended in heartbreak.
After three consecutive losses — 4–1 to Motagua (Honduras), 2–1 to Saprissa (Costa Rica), and 3–1 to CAI (Panama) — Verdes entered their final Group C match against Cartaginés believing they had a chance to salvage pride against the Costa Rican side, who had yet to win in the tournament. Instead, they were overwhelmed from the opening whistle.
Cartaginés struck early and often:
– Johan Venegas opened the scoring in the 4th minute.
– Diego Mesén added two more from corner kicks in the 11th and 16th.
– Though Joel Burgos pulled one back for Verdes in the 27th, Cartaginés responded instantly with Venegas and Marco Ureña combining for two goals in two minutes.
– Ureña completed his hat trick before halftime (41’, 45’+1’), and Venegas sealed his own in the 63rd via penalty.
The final scoreline — 8–1 — was the largest margin of defeat ever suffered by a Belizean club in current Central American Cup. It also stands in stark contrast to their 2023 jaunt, when they too lost all four group matches but ended with a narrow 3–2 defeat to Olancho in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
Johan Venegas opened the scoring in the 4th minute for Costa Rica side CS Cartaginés in 8-1 win over Premier League of Belize champions Verdes on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at Estadio José Rafael “Fello” Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica. Photo Credit: Club Sport Cartaginés
Verdes finish the group stage 0–0–4, scoring four goals and conceding 17. The team’s lone bright spot came from Burgos, who netted twice in the tournament and showed flashes of resilience despite the mounting pressure.
Verdes went in believing this was the one they could take, but Caratginés punished every mistake, and the Belize side couldn’t recover.
The result raises questions about Belizean clubs’ readiness for regional competition and the structural support needed to compete against professional outfits from Costa Rica, Honduras, and Panama. For Verdes, the offseason will be a time of reflection, rebuilding, and perhaps reimagining their approach to international play.
Verdes’ exit is a sobering moment for Belizean football, but also a call to action. The talent is there — the structure must follow.
Group C Final Standings (Top 2 Advance):
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.
© 2025, BreakingBelizeNews.com. Content is copyrighted and requires written permission for reprinting in online or print media. Theft of content without permission/payment is punishable by law.
Comments
The post Verdes FC suffer catastrophic 8-1 defeat to Cartaginés, exit Central American Cup without a win appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
Posted: Thursday, August 21, 2025. 8:38 am CST. Puerto Rican Joel Burgos scored Verdes’ only goal against Costa Rica side Club Sport Cartaginés in a lopsided
The post Verdes FC suffer catastrophic 8-1 defeat to Cartaginés, exit Central American Cup without a win appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
