Guatemala City, February 7 (AGN). The Nicaraguan Real Estelí gave the surprise this Tuesday by defeating América from Mexico 2-1 at home in the first leg of the first round of the Concacaf Champions League.
A ‘Panenka’ penalty taken by Byron Bonilla at minute 7 and a goal by defender Marvin Fletes with a header at minute 47 gave Tren del Norte the historic victory against the current Mexican soccer champion, for whom Luis Quiñones discounted. The Nicaraguans will seek to complete their historic feat next Wednesday at the Azteca Stadium, when they visit the Eagles in the second leg.
???? The match in Nicaragua ends with the first victory of @realestelifc in #ConcaChampions! pic.twitter.com/EPEtHX3fkq
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
Nothing stops the Northern Train
Real Estelí, runners-up in the first Concacaf Central American Cup, came out aggressively on the field with Bonilla overwhelmed on the left side. A great individual play by Bonilla, which was a real headache for the defense of America, caused Emilio Lara to commit an infringement in the six-yard box by touching the ball with his hand.
Bonilla himself, coldly, took the penalty and gently sent it to the center of the goal defended by Luis Malagón, who could not do anything. After the surprising 1-0, América overflowed in attack and dominated the match, although they did not find the rival’s goal.
Goal! Byron Bonilla converts the penalty and puts Real Estelí in the lead ⚽???? pic.twitter.com/B6Ev5VQLQP
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
In the 13th minute, Quiñones could not find the ball inside the area after a cross from Alejandro Zendejas. Ten minutes later, the roles were reversed and it was Zendejas, in front of the goal and without any mark, who sent the ball out. At minute 42, Richard Sánchez took a free kick for América and the ball was deflected by Douglas Forvis, another of the local figures.
The first half ends with an advantage for @realestelifc! ⏸️#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/IxvB1IXghy
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
Historic triumph
In the second half, Real Estelí came out intense again and another play by Bonilla, on the left wing, ended in a corner kick. Bonilla himself took the corner kick and the ball found unmarked defender Marvin Fletes, who dominated from the top and beat Malagón with a header. The 2-0 looked immense and André Jardine began to make changes to shorten the score or avoid humiliation.
Marvin Fletes blows up the Independencia Stadium! Real Estelí up 2-0 on the scoreboard! ⚽ pic.twitter.com/osa1hhjpK6
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
It was not until the 90th minute that Quiñones found a ball in the area that was cleared by Forvis after a free kick and América managed to score an important away goal.
Julián Quiñones scores for América in the final stretch! ???? pic.twitter.com/6NLCmdYmi2
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
Real Estelí, who went 10 years without losing at the Independencia Stadium (north), until they were defeated by Costa Rican team Alajuelense on November 28, thus achieving a historic victory against América.
The brand new runner-up of the first Concacaf Central American Cup will meet again with the Mexican club on February 14 at the Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium, in Mexico City.
Don’t miss the best of the match between Real Estelí and América! ????⚽#ConcaChampions pic.twitter.com/iJBgvJAs8p
— Concacaf Champions Cup (@TheChampions) February 7, 2024
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