LD Alajuelense, Olimpia clash in Central American Cup Semifinals

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·21 October 2025

LD Alajuelense, Olimpia clash in Central American Cup Semifinals

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup continues as LD Alajuelense hosts CD Olimpia in the First Leg of their Semifinals series on Thursday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

Defending champion LD Alajuelense is back in the semifinals for a third consecutive season. The two-time champions kept its title defense alive with a 2-2 draw on aggregate against FC Motagua, winning the series on away goals. Diego Campos scored in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 victory on the road in the Second Leg.

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CD Olimpia advanced to the semifinals for the first time, after knocking out CS Cartaginés with a 5-2 aggregate in quarterfinals. Forward Jorge Benguché has been the team’s top contributor in attack with seven goals and leads the race for the Top Scorer Award. The most decorated club in Honduras is set for its 12th appearance in the semifinals of an international competition, advancing on seven occasions.

The meeting will be the first between the sides in the Central American Cup and marks the third time they face off in semifinals of a Concacaf club competition. Olimpia came out on top 1-nil on aggregate in the semifinals of the 1998 Concacaf Champions Cup. Alajuelense won 5-4 in penalties, after a goalless draw, in a single-leg semifinal of the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League.

All-Time series

LD Alajuelense and CD Olimpia face off for the first time in the Concacaf Central American Cup. Although this marks their debut encounter in this competition, their international rivalry is already steeped in history and drama.

Both clubs arrive with proven semifinal credentials, rosters filled with experience, and a shared hunger for continental glory.

Alajuelense: Third Straight Semifinal

LD Alajuelense returns to the semifinals for the third consecutive year, boasting a recent track record of resilience in high-pressure situations.

2023 – Defeated CS Herediano on penalties (5-4) after two 2-2 draws:
First leg: October 25 at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa – Goals from Carlos Mora and Johan Venegas (ALA); Allan Cruz and Jesús Godínez (HER) Second leg: November 1 at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto – Goals from Celso Borges and Joel Campbell (ALA); Gerson Torres and Everardo Rubio (HER)
2024 – Narrowly edged Antigua GFC with a 1-0 aggregate win:
First leg: 0-0 draw on October 22 at Estadio Pensativo Second leg: 1-0 win on October 30 at Estadio Morera Soto – Goal by Rashir Parkins

In these two semifinal campaigns, Alajuelense has seen five different scorers, each with one goal: Carlos Mora, Johan Venegas, Celso Borges, Joel Campbell, and Rashir Parkins.

Olimpia: Tradition, Firepower, and a Familiar Foe

Club Olimpia, Honduras’s most decorated club, enters its first-ever Central American Cup semifinal, but carries the experience of 12 previous international semifinal appearances, advancing on 7 occasions.

In the current edition, their attack has been clinical:

Top Scorer: Jorge Benguché (7 goals), Jerry Bengtson (3 goals)
Assists Leaders: Yustin Arboleda, Edwin Rodríguez, José Mario Pinto (2 assists each)
Goalkeeper: Edrick Menjívar has recorded 17 key saves

A Rivalry Forged in Semifinal Battles

This marks the third time Alajuelense and Olimpia clash in a Concacaf club semifinal, with each side holding a win in their past meetings:

1998 – Concacaf Champions Cup:
First leg: 0-0 draw on November 27 at Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés Second leg: 1-0 Olimpia win on December 4 at Estadio Morera Soto – Olympic goal by Nahum Espinoza sealed the series. Olimpia advanced to the final and defeated Defence Force (TRI) to win their second Concacaf title.
2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League (single-leg semifinal played in 2021):
January 20 at Estadio Morera Soto – 0-0 draw Alajuelense won 5-4 in the penalty shootout and went on to defeat Deportivo Saprissa 3-2 in the final.

Semifinal Track Record

LD Alajuelense