CS Herediano, Real Estelí meet to decide second finalist in Central American Cup

MIAMI – The 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup continues on Thursday with its second finalist to be decided as CS Herediano hosts Real Estelí FC in a decisive second leg match.

Real Estelí finished as runners-up in the 2023 edition and is seeking a return to the final. CS Herediano was eliminated on penalties in the semifinals of last year’s edition to eventual champions LD Alajuelense but went on to be Central American club to advance the furthest in the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup.

CS Herediano vs. Real Estelí FC

CS Herediano hosts Real Estelí at Estadio José Rafael Fello Meza in Cartago, Costa Rica. Both sides will aim end a deadlock following a nil-nil draw in the first leg.

Herediano enters the match as one of the few sides that remains undefeated in CCAC history. The Costa Rican club boasts a record of seven wins and eight draws.

Real Estelí was the runner-up in the 2023 edition and looks to return to the final to secure its first trophy. The Nicaraguan side has lost only once in its last eight games in the competition.

Byron Bonilla, who has registered three goals and an assist this campaign, will be an important player as Estelí aims to return to the final. John Jairo Ruiz and José de Jesús González are Herediano’s top scorers this campaign with two goals each.

The match also presents the third-ever meeting between the sides. Real Estelí leads the all-time series with a win, with the other encounter resulting in the draw.

A winner would win the series outright due to the first leg ending in a draw. If the series ends in a draw on aggregate, away goals will determine the winner. Another scoreless result will force the series into extra time and penalties, if necessary.