Alajuelense top Real Esteli to take big step toward title | OneFootball

MIAMI, Florida – Alajuelense of Costa Rica took a big step toward claiming the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup title with a 3-0 victory over Nicaragua’s Real Esteli in the first leg of the Final on Tuesday night at the Estadio Independencia in Esteli, Nicaragua.

Alajuelense not only come away with a three-goal cushion on the aggregate scoreline, but also have three away goals to their advantage going into next week’s return leg in Costa Rica.

It was a pulsating start between the two teams, with the action end-to-end and some fancy footwork from Real Esteli’s Byron Bonilla in the 28’ that almost yielded the first goal.

Yet the opening goal would go in Alajuelense’s favor in the 32’ as a perfectly played cross from Carlos Mora found the in-stride Joshua Navarro, who swung in a right-footed effort to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.

Alajuelense were on the front foot and they added a key second goal in first half stoppage time as 40-year-old Michael Barrantes, who had substituted into the match earlier in the half for Alexander Lopez, curled in a left-footed free kick to make it 2-0 to Alajuelense at the break.

The Costa Rican visitors kept their foot on the gas and extended their lead to 3-0 in the 49’ when Freddy Gondola pounced on a Real Esteli defensive miscue and slotted home through the legs of GK Douglas Forvis.

Real Esteli kept plugging away to try to pull a goal back and Josue Quijano came close in the 68’ with a right-footed rocket that left the crossbar shaking.

But a red card to Bancy Hernandez in the 78’ hampered Real Esteli’s comeback effort, and despite a few late chances, the hosts were never able to find a way onto the scoresheet, allowing Alajuelense to pocket a sizable clean sheet victory after the first 90 minutes.