Cartaginés, Motagua kick off Play-In Round in Central American Cup | OneFootball

MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup continues as CS Cartaginés hosts FC Motagua in the First Leg of their Play-In series on Tuesday at Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica.

The Play-In will see the four teams eliminated in the Quarterfinals compete for the last two berths in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

CS Cartaginés is set for a second appearance in the Play-In, following a dramatic series against Comunicaciones FC in 2023 that ended with heartbreak in the penalty shootout. Los Brumosos will look to its stellar attack, with Johan Venegas and Marco Ureña leading the team with five goals each in the 2025 edition.

FC Motagua returns to the Play-In for a third consecutive year. The Honduran club will seek to replicate its success from 2024, when the Ciclón Azul defeated CD Águila 4-2 on aggregate, to secure its place in the CCC.

The meeting will be the second between the sides in the 2025 edition and fourth overall in international club competitions. The two played to a nil-nil draw in Group C on August 14 at Estadio José de la Paz Herrera Uclés, the site of the second leg. Motagua remains unbeaten all-time against Cartaginés, with two wins and a draw.

All-Time series

CS Cartaginés and FC Motagua are set to meet once again in the 2025 edition of the Concacaf Central American Cup, this time in the all-important Play-In stage. Their last encounter came earlier in the group stage, when they played to a hard-fought 0-0 draw on August 14, 2025, at the Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa.

Cartaginés: Second Chance at Redemption

This will be Cartaginés’ second appearance in the Play-In, following a dramatic 2023 series against Comunicaciones FC of Guatemala that ended with heartbreak in a penalty shootout. The series ended 1-1 on aggregate, but the Brumosos fell 5-4 on penalties.

1-1 draw: Jostin Daly scored with a header; Gerardo Gordillo responded for the Cremas with a stunning bicycle kick.

1-1 draw: Marcel Hernández converted from the penalty spot for Comunicaciones; Jorman Aguilar netted for Cartaginés.

Play-In Top Scorers for Cartaginés:

Top Assists: José Quirós (1)

Cartaginés Stats in the 2025 Central American Cup:

Motagua: The Play-In Regulars Are Back Again

FC Motagua returns to the Play-In for a third consecutive year, becoming the club with the most matches played in this stage (4). After a tough exit in 2023, they bounced back strongly in 2024 and are eyeing another ticket to the semifinals.

Play-In 2023 – Defeat vs. Deportivo Saprissa (6-2 aggregate):

2-2 draw: Agustín Auzmendi scored a brace; Michaell Chirinos and Warren Madrigal scored for Saprissa.

4-0 win for Saprissa with goals from Ariel Rodríguez, Kendall Waston, Orlando Sinclair, and Luis Paradela.

Play-In 2024 – Victory over CD Águila (4-2 aggregate):

2-0 win for Motagua: goals by Luis Vega and Agustín Auzmendi

2-2 draw: Dixon Rivas and Édgar Medrano scored for Águila; Carlos Mejía and Auzmendi scored for Motagua.

Motagua’s All-Time Top Play-In Scorer:

Top Assist Providers in Play-In:

Motagua Stats in the 2025 Central American Cup:

International History: Edge to the Honduran Side

CS Cartaginés and FC Motagua have met three times in official international competitions, with the Honduran side holding the upper hand:

Goal: Óscar “Martillo” Hernández

Goals: Mario Artica, Rubén “Chamaco” Guifarro