Cartaginés defeats Motagua to seal Champions Cup berth | OneFootball

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras – The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup continued with CS Cartaginés defeating FC Motagua 3-1 in the Second Leg of their Play-In series, with Cartaginés winning the series 4-1 on aggregate, on Tuesday at Estadio José de la Paz Herrera Uclés in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Cartaginés goalkeeper Kevin Briceño pulled off an important save in the 19’, denying a header towards the top right corner from John Kleber.

Bernald Alfaro placed Cartaginés in the lead in the 56’, finding the back of the net with a right-footed finish. Jesús Batiz registered the assist from the left side of the box with an individual play.

Motagua went a man down after Marcelo Santos was shown a red card in the 64’. 

Clever Portillo equalized for Motagua in the 71’, with a right-footed shot from the left side of the box, following a backheel assist from Luis Vega. 

Marco Ureña restored the lead for the visitors in the 73’, striking with a powerful first time hit inside the box to capitalize on an assist from Christopher Núnez. 

Mauro Quiroga rounded out the win for Cartaginés in the 78’ with a finish from the center of the box on a corner kick. 

With the result, CS Cartaginés secures a berth in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. Los Brumosos will return to the tournament for the first time since the 2013-14 edition.