Top Moments from the 2025 Central American Cup Semifinals and Play-In | OneFootball

MIAMI — The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup Semifinals and Play-In delivered top moments, as the two remaining contenders move on to the Final and two other teams secured the last two tickets for the 2026 Champions Cup.

Here we present the best moments from the Semifinals and the Play-In. 

Xelajú reaches first Final in dramatic fashion

CSD Xelajú MC will feature in its first Central American Cup Final after overcoming a tough challenge and advancing past Real España in dramatic fashion. Juan Cardona equalized for Los Chivos in the 90’+7’ of the Second Leg, tying the aggregate at 2-2 to send the match to extra time. The Guatemalan club then secured qualification with a 2-1 victory in a decisive penalty shootout.

Alajuelense at the doors of a historic third title 

Two-time defending champions LD Alajuelense made history by reaching a third consecutive CAC Final. The aggregate was tied 2-2 between La Liga and Olimpia after extra time in the Second Leg, with the Costa Rican side subsequently claiming the win 3-nil on penalties. 

With a third consecutive appearance in the Central American Cup Final, Alajuelense equals CF Monterrey’s record as the only two Concacaf clubs to reach three consecutive finals in a confederation club competition. Additionally, Los Manudos will play its 11th international final, having lifted six titles (60%) overall. 

Cartaginés and Sporting San Miguelito book 2026 Champions Cup tickets 

CS Cartaginés and Sporting San Miguelito became the final two clubs to secure places for the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup, achieving qualification though the Play-In round. 

Cartaginés secured its spot with a convincing 4-1 aggregate win in its series Motagua. It also marked the club’s first-ever victory on Honduran soil with a 3-1 victory in the Second Leg. Cartaginés qualified for the Champions Cup for the first time in 11 years, its eighth participation in the tournament. 

Sporting San Miguelito defeated fellow Panamanian side Plaza Amador 4-2 on aggregate to clinch Champions Cup qualification for the first time since the 2013-14 edition. The return to the Champions Cup came in historic fashion, as Sporting achieved several milestones: its first-ever two-legged series win, three consecutive victories, and three away goals in a single edition of the Central American Cup.

Jorge Benguché becomes the all-time Central American Cup leading scorer

CD Olimpia forward Jorge Benguché made history with his goal against Alajuelense in the Second Leg of the Semifinals. The goal was his 12th in the Central American Cup, surpassing the 11 goals scored by Argentine forward Agustín Auzmendi (FC Motagua) to become the all-time scorer in the competition.

Jesús López notches 150th goal in 2025 Central American Cup 

By scoring in Xelajú’s goal in the 1-1 draw against Real España in the First Leg of the Semifinals, Jesús López notched the 150th goal in the 2025 edition of the tournament. Additionally, the midfielder scored his third goal in the CCAC (two with Club Xelajú, one with Comunicaciones FC).