MANAGUA, Nicaragua – Arley Bonilla scored on a first half header to earn Nicaraguan club Real Esteli a 1-0 victory over Xelaju of Guatemala in the first ever Concacaf Central American Cup match on Tuesday night at the Estadio Independencia in Esteli, Nicaragua.
The result earns Real Esteli a full three points to kick off action in Group B of the 2023 Central American Cup.
The decisive moment came in the 19’ on a Real Esteli corner that was swung in and Bonilla was there to meet it with a header that he turned into net for the goal.
The home side looked to keep the momentum going and had a handful of opportunities to stretch their lead, but were turned away by Xelaju GK Jose Calderon, who made several big saves to keep it a one-goal game.
Calderon was just as good in the second half in denying Bancy Hernandez on a header that looked destined for a goal.
In the end, the three points would belong to Real Esteli, who next will face Honduran giants Olimpia next week, while Xelaju will look to bounce back against FAS of El Salvador.
