CS Cartagines edged Puntarenas FC 3-2 in a high-scoring Costa Rica Primera Division clash on March 9, 2026. This entertaining victory at home kept Cartagines firmly in the hunt for a playoff spot in the closing stages of the season. The match was end-to-end from the start, with Cartagines taking an early lead only for Puntarenas to equalize before halftime. The second half saw a flurry of goals, with Cartagines regaining the lead, Puntarenas leveling again, and then a late winner from the home side sending the local fans into raptures. The decisive moment was a powerful strike from outside the box in the 85th minute that found the top corner, a true match-winning goal. This result provided a crucial three points for Cartagines in a tight league table, while leaving Puntarenas FC ruing missed opportunities to secure a point. The Cartagines manager praised his team's never-say-die attitude, and the Puntarenas coach focused on minor defensive errors that proved costly. The lineups featured key attacking players from both sides who contributed to an exciting five-goal thriller.