San Miguel beats Atletico Verde 3-2 in CAC final

San Miguel FC defeated Atletico Verde 3-2 after extra time to win the CAC 2026 final at Estadio Nacional in San José on Sunday. The match was level at 2-2 after 90 minutes before Marco Díaz scored the decisive goal in the 113th minute.

Atletico Verde opened the scoring in the 12th minute when Juan Morales headed in a cross. Diego Rojas equalized for San Miguel in the 28th minute with a curled shot from the edge of the box. The teams went into halftime tied 1-1.

A straight red card for Atletico Verde in the 58th minute followed a high challenge on Rojas and a pitch-side monitor review. San Miguel capitalized on the extra space and Rojas converted a penalty in the 75th minute to put his side ahead 2-1. With Atletico Verde pushing late, substitute Carlos Méndez scored in the third minute of stoppage time to force extra time at 2-2.

In the 113th minute San Miguel finished a counterattack when Marco Díaz struck a low shot past the goalkeeper. The final whistle confirmed a 3-2 victory for San Miguel after two 15-minute periods of extra time.

The attendance was 38,412 at Estadio Nacional under warm, dry conditions. San Miguel introduced Diaz in the 68th minute and defender Luis Herrera in the 82nd minute as tactical changes during the second half and extra time.

Coach Fernando Alvarez praised his players’ fitness and focus, adding, “We planned for a long game and kept our shape when they pushed forward.” Atletico Verde coach Ricardo López noted his team had more possession in the second half but could not recover after the red card.

Marco Díaz described his winning touch: “I saw a gap behind their defense, I headed for it and struck the ball on the first touch. I’m proud to help the club win.”

San Miguel won its third CAC title and its first since 2019. Diego Rojas finished the tournament as top scorer with seven goals, three of them in the knockout rounds. Atletico Verde reached its best finish in the competition in seven years; the team plans to review match footage and address discipline and squad depth before next season.

Organizers reported the CAC 2026 tournament featured 12 national teams over four weeks, with group stages followed by knockout rounds, and recorded one of the highest television audiences in the competition’s history. Planning has begun for the 2028 edition.