Real España, Xelajú get Semifinals underway in Central American Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup continues with Real CD España hosting CSD Xelajú MC in the First Leg of their Semifinals series on Wednesday at Estadio Francisco Morazán in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The series pits the top assist providers in the 2025 edition, as Real España midfielder Jhow Benavídez and Xelajú’s Antonio López lead all players with four assists each.

Real España is gearing up for a fifth appearance in the final four of an international competition. Los Aurinegros reached the Semifinals after drawing 2-2 on aggregate against Plaza Amador, winning the series on away goals. Brayan Moya struck a dramatic late goal in the 90th minute of the Second Leg to send the Honduran club to the Semifinals. Moya and Gustavo Souza have led the team in attack, with three goals each.

Xelajú arrives at the Semifinals of an international tournament for the second time, after defeating Sporting San Miguelito 3-2 on aggregate. Los Chivos advanced to the Semifinals with a goal from Widvin Tebalán in the final minutes of extra time. Romario da Silva has been the top scorer for the Guatemalan side with three.

The meeting will be the first between the sides in the Central American Cup and third overall in international club competitions. Real España and Xelajú previously clashed in the final of the 1982 Copa Fraternidad Centroamericana, which Real España won 2-1 in the First Leg, followed by a nil-nil draw in the Second Leg.

All-Time series

Real España and Club Xelajú meet for the first time in the Concacaf Central American Cup, battling for a place in the grand finale.

A 43-Year Wait for a Rematch

Although this is their first meeting in the current era of the Central American Cup, these two storied clubs clashed once before on the international stage, in the 1982 Final of the Copa Fraternidad Centroamericana.

Scorers: Eddy “Tibombo” Contreras, Hernán Juviny Carreño (ESP); Mauricio Quintanilla (XEL)

Real España lifted their second consecutive title, with a 2-1 aggregate win.

Real España: Experience Meets Ambition

This semifinal marks the fifth time Real España will feature in the final four of an international competition. However, they’ve only advanced once — back in 1982, en route to their title.

Real España’s International Semifinal Appearances:

In the 2025 edition, Brayan Moya and Gustavo Souza have led the attack with 3 goals each, while midfield engine Jhow Benavídez tops the assists chart with 4. Between the posts, Luis “Buba” López has been vital, racking up 17 saves and anchoring a strong defensive unit.

Club Xelajú: A Return to the Final Four

Club Xelajú MC arrives at their second-ever international semifinal. Their only previous appearance came in 1982, when they edged CSD Vida of Honduras (0-0 away, 2-0 at home) to reach the final — ultimately falling to Real España.

This year, they’ve relied on a balanced offensive front: Pedro Báez leads with 3 goals, supported by Romario da Silva and Jorge Aparicio (2 goals each). Antonio López has shined as the main creative force with 4 assists, and Rubén Silva has delivered 15 crucial saves to keep Xelajú in the race.

Flashback – 1982 Semifinal and Final Run

First leg: 0–0 in Tegucigalpa

Second leg: 2–0 in Quetzaltenango

Xelajú reached the final, only to be denied the crown by Real España.