MIAMI, Florida – With the 2018 Scotiabank Concacaf League Final between Herediano of Costa Rica and Motagua of Honduras set to kick off, it is fitting to look back on last year’s final in which Olimpia of Honduras defeated Santos de Guapiles of Costa Rica in penalty kicks to claim the first ever SCL.
The first leg was played on October 19, 2017 behind closed doors at the Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula and after a tense, nervy first half with both teams missing chances, the Ticos would take the lead in the 62’ when a Wilmer Azofeifa effort from outside the area took a deflection and went bouncing into the net to give Santos a 1-0 advantage.
From there, a combination of timely goalkeeping and stout defending sealed the away victory for the Costa Ricans.
A week later on October 26, 2017, the two teams renewed acquaintances at the Estadio Nacional in San Jose, and this time it was Olimpia who would secure the away win.
Michaell Chirinos pounced on a loose ball at the top of the area and fired in to score the game’s lone goal in the 21’ to give Olimpia a 1-0 win, evening the final 1-1 on aggregate.
Matters were then settled form the penalty spot and the Hondurans proved the better side, with Carlos Mejia’s conversion clinching a 4-1 win in the shootout to earn Olimpia the first ever SCL title.