Honduras beats Costa Rica to claim Nations League 3rd place

Updated: May 17, 2023, 05:06 am

Honduras beat Costa Rica 5-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw to claim third place in the CONCACAF Nations League.

The match at Empower Field in Denver saw the Central American rivals provide a thriller after Honduras' loss to the United States and Costa Rica's defeat to Mexico in semifinals on Thursday. 

Joel Campbell gave Costa Rica an early lead in the eighth minute but Edwin Rodriguez equalized for Honduras in the 48th minute.

The final 10 minutes of the match saw Honduras take the lead again thanks to Alberth Ellis before Francisco Calvo's 85th-minute goal ensured a penalty shoot-out.

It was Honduras keeper Luis Lopez who secured the win by saving Yeltsin Tejeda's attempt from the spot to give Los Catrachos the consolation win over Los Ticos.