Belmopan, Belize – Honduran side Motagua got off to a dream start in Group D of the 2023 Concacaf Central American Cup with a commanding 5-0 victory over Verdes of Belize on Wednesday night at the FFB Stadium in Belmopan, Belize.
The star of the night was Agustin Auzmendi, who scored three goals in his first ever Concacaf match with the club.
There were some early chances for both teams in the first half, but the breakthrough would not arrive until shortly before halftime when Auzmendi scored the first of his three goals from the penalty spot by calmly converting after being fouled in the Verdes area, giving Motagua a 1-0 lead.
Auzmendi was just getting started and doubled the advantage to 2-0 in short order after the second half re-start by taking a cross from the left wing and flicking it into net.
Auzmendi then made it a true hat-trick in the 57’ by finding a cross from the left wing again and this time turning a header into net to extend the Motagua lead to 3-0.
Auzmendi’s Motagua teammates were evidently inspired by his play and decided to join in on the scoring fun as well. Ivan Lopez stretched the advantage to 4-0 in the 78’ with a powerful header off a cross from Kevin Alvarez on the right wing.
Carlos Mejia then closed out the goal-scoring festivities by firing in a shot off a rebound in the 85’ to complete the 5-0 scoreline and nail down the three points for the visiting Hondurans.
