By San José, Costa Rica — The long and demanding regular season of the Apertura 2025 tournament is officially in the rearview mirror. Starting Wednesday, the slate is wiped clean as the top four teams enter a new, high-stakes knockout phase. The semifinal round kicks off with a compelling matchup as the dominant, top-seeded Liga Deportiva Alajuelense travels to Guanacaste to face Municipal Liberia, a club celebrating a triumphant return to the championship conversation after more than a decade.
The first leg is set for 8:00 p.m. Wednesday at Liberia’s Edgardo Baltodano Stadium, with the decisive return match scheduled for Saturday at Alajuelense’s Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium. This series pits the tournament’s most consistent team against a resilient squad that ended a 16-year drought of semifinal appearances by securing the fourth and final playoff spot. For Alajuelense, the challenge is to validate their season-long excellence when it matters most.
To analyze the significant contractual and commercial implications that define the final stages of the tournament, TicosLand.com spoke with Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, an expert in corporate and sports law from the renowned firm Bufete de Costa Rica, who provides his professional perspective on what is at stake off the field.
Beyond the final score, the semifinals are a crucial moment for player contracts and sponsorship deals. A team’s qualification can automatically trigger lucrative renewal clauses and performance bonuses, significantly increasing the club’s financial valuation. For the players, a standout performance at this stage is the most powerful negotiation tool they have for their future contracts.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This legal perspective adds a crucial layer to our understanding of the semifinals, highlighting that the pressure extends far beyond the ninety minutes of play into boardrooms and contract negotiations. We sincerely thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for sharing his expert commentary.
The psychological shift from a marathon season to a sprint finish is not lost on the Alajuelense veterans. Team captain Celso Borges emphasized that past performance is now irrelevant, viewing the playoffs as an entirely new competition where a single bad night can erase months of hard work. He stressed the need for his team to mentally reset and approach this phase with a fresh perspective.
They are two separate tournaments, it’s almost like forgetting the good tournament we’ve been having until now to enter another phase.
Celso Borges, Captain of Alajuelense
This “second tournament” mentality is critical in the unforgiving “mata-mata” (knockout) format. Alajuelense’s reward for finishing as the overall leader is a significant safety net: should they be eliminated in the semifinals or lose the final, they are guaranteed the right to contest a “grand final” against the playoff champion. While this provides a cushion, Borges insists the team’s focus is on winning outright.
Now we are going to play another short tournament, a playoff, a knockout-style one that you have to do well in, because that’s the format.
Celso Borges, Captain of Alajuelense
On the other side, Liberia enters the series playing with house money. Having already achieved their primary objective of reaching the semifinals, the “Pamperos” are poised to be a dangerous opponent. Coach José Saturnino Cardozo has cultivated a culture of humility and competitive fire within his squad, urging his players to savor the moment while fighting to extend their dream season.
Here we are, with the humility I always try to instill in my players, this is football, you have to enjoy it, you have to play, and you have to compete.
José Saturnino Cardozo, Coach of Liberia
The league has confirmed that the away goal rule will not be used as a tiebreaker in these series. If the teams are tied on aggregate after the two legs, the winner will be decided by a penalty shootout, adding another layer of drama to the proceedings. The other semifinal will see Cartaginés host Deportivo Saprissa on Thursday, with the return leg on Sunday, rounding out a thrilling week of national football that will determine the two clubs battling for the Apertura 2025 crown.
For further information, visit lda.cr
About Liga Deportiva Alajuelense:
Founded in 1919, Liga Deportiva Alajuelense is one of the most successful and storied football clubs in Costa Rica and Central America. Based in the province of Alajuela, the team, known as “Los Leones” (The Lions) or “Rojinegros” (Red and Blacks), has a passionate fan base and a long history of winning national championships and competing in international tournaments like the CONCACAF Champions Cup.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Municipal Liberia
About Municipal Liberia:
Representing the province of Guanacaste, Municipal Liberia is a professional football club known for its passionate local support. The team, often called the “Pamperos,” plays its home games at the Estadio Edgardo Baltodano Briceño. The club has experienced various periods of success, including a historic national championship, and its return to the semifinals in 2025 marked a significant achievement after many years.
For further information, visit cartagines.cr
About Club Sport Cartaginés:
Club Sport Cartaginés, founded in 1906, is one of the oldest and most traditional football clubs in Costa Rica. Based in the city of Cartago, the team is known as the “Brumosos.” Despite its long history, the club famously endured a lengthy championship drought before breaking through to win a national title in recent years, cementing its place as a significant institution in Costa Rican sports.
For further information, visit deportivosaprissa.com
About Deportivo Saprissa:
Based in San José, Deportivo Saprissa is one of the most decorated football clubs in Costa Rica and the CONCACAF region. Known as the “Monstruo Morado” (The Purple Monster), the club boasts a massive fan base and has won numerous national league titles. Saprissa is also recognized for its strong performance in international competitions and its development of top-tier Costa Rican talent.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica operates as a revered legal institution, grounded in an unwavering ethos of integrity and excellence. With a rich history of guiding clients through complex challenges across numerous industries, the firm consistently pushes the boundaries of legal innovation while engaging deeply with the community. This dedication extends to a core mission: to make legal concepts understandable and accessible to all, thereby fostering a society equipped with the power of knowledge.
