SAN ISIDRO DE EL GENERAL, Costa Rica (Interstat) — In a result that defied pregame projections, Perez Zeledon and LD Alajuelense played to a 1-1 draw Sunday in a Primera División match at Estadio Municipal Pérez Zeledón.

The visiting Alajuelense, heavily favored to win, was held to a single point in the season opener for both clubs. Statistical models had overwhelmingly predicted an Alajuelense victory, with Interstat’s ELO system giving the club an 82.50 percent probability to win and its game simulator projecting a 2-1 final score.

The match began with Perez Zeledon asserting itself as the more dangerous side early. The pressure paid off in the 19th minute when forward Andrey Soto found the net, sending the home crowd into a frenzy and handing the underdogs a surprising lead. Soto’s early strike set the tone for a physical and defensively disciplined first half from the hosts, who successfully frustrated Alajuelense’s attacking efforts.

Alajuelense, a perennial powerhouse in Costa Rican football, struggled to break down Perez Zeledon’s organized defense for much of the contest. As the second half wore on, the visitors increased their urgency, controlling possession and creating a series of chances. The equalizer finally came in the 81st minute from midfielder Steven Lucumí, who capitalized on sustained pressure to level the score and salvage a point for his side.

Despite Lucumí’s late goal, Alajuelense could not find a winner in the closing minutes. Perez Zeledon’s resilient defensive performance in the final stages secured a valuable draw against one of the league’s top contenders.

The result leaves both teams with identical records to start the Primera División campaign: zero wins, zero losses and one draw. Their overall records across all competitions also stand at 0-0-1. For Perez Zeledon, the draw represents a significant and positive result, having earned a point against a favored opponent. For Alajuelense, it marks a disappointing start, dropping two points in a match they were expected to win.

The game was characterized by strong defensive organization from the home side and a lack of sharpness in the final third from the visitors, leading to a share of the points. The fixture was the first of the season for both clubs in Costa Rica’s top division.