MIAMI – The 2024 Concacaf Central American Cup continues with two quarterfinal encounters on Wednesday, as the remaining eight teams compete to be crowned champions in early December.
Real Estelí FC will face CD Águila in the first leg of their series, followed by FC Motagua against CS Herediano. Each club will look to get a head start on advancing to the next round and securing a berth in the 2025 Concacaf Champions Cup as a semifinalist.
Real Estelí FC vs. CD Águila
Real Estelí faces CD Águila at Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua, in the 100th match in the history of the Central American Cup.
The encounter will be the first between the sides in the CCAC and third overall in their history. Real Estelí and CD Águila each earned a win in their previous meetings.
Real Estelí aims to extend its positive home record in the tournament, achieving six victories in seven home matches. The Nicaraguan club finished runner-up in the 2023 edition and enters the series having lost just once in its past five tournament matches. Byron Bonilla led the team offensively in the group stage with three goal contributions.
Águila will be making its first appearance in the quarterfinals stage. The Salvadorian club is currently on a three-match winning run in the CCAC and will strive to keep its positive momentum after finishing first in Group C with an unbeaten record of three wins and a draw. Carlos Salazar will be looking to add to his tally after recording two goals and an assist in the group stage. Salazar is Águila’s all-time scorer in the competition with three.
FC Motagua vs. CS Herediano
FC Motagua hosts CS Herediano at Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The encounter pits the two teams for a second CCAC matchup in less than a month. On August 28, the teams fought to a 1-1 draw in Group A in Costa Rica.
Motagua looks to improve on its participation in the 2023 edition and advance past the quarterfinals. The Blue Cyclone closed the group stage with two wins and a draw. The Honduran club will also seek to capitalize on home-field advantage, having never lost a CCAC match at home with a record of four wins and two draws.
Herediano enters the quarterfinals after claiming three wins and a draw to top Group A. Semifinalists in 2023, the Costa Rican side remains undefeated in the competition with seven wins and five draws, including five clean sheets, through the two editions.
The quarterfinal first-leg matchup will feature the sixth encounter between the two clubs. Each has earned two wins apiece and a draw in their previous meetings.
