Dinenno’s late brace powers Pumas past Saprissa

CIUDAD DE MEXICO – Juan Dinenno scored two goals in the final 15 minutes to help boost Pumas to a 4-1 win over Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica in the second leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 on Wednesday night at the Estadio Olimpico Universitario in Mexico City.

The result earns Pumas a 6-3 victory on aggregate and a date in the final eight with the New England Revolution.

Pumas enjoyed a strong start and grabbed a 1-0 lead in the 12’ through Arturo Ortiz, who spun home a header off a Leonel Lopez corner kick.

The pressure kept coming from the Liga MX side and it took a reaction save from Saprissa GK Aaron Cruz to prevent Omar Islas from thumping home a header in the 29’.

Saprissa weren’t without their chances, though, and Christian Bolanos looked set to bring his side level in the 35’, but could not find a way past Pumas GK Julio Gonzalez.

Saprissa’s good spell carried into the second half and Ryan Bolanos brought the Ticos level 1-1 in the match in the 51’ with a well-struck left-footed volley off a deflection.

The momentum was with the visiting Costa Ricans, but Pumas were able to match that intensity and excellent control and a turn set up Juan Dinenno with a right-footed shot that beat Cruz for a 2-1 Pumas lead in the 75’.

Dinenno made sure there would be no late drama, either, as he struck for his second goal of the night in the 82’ with a perfectly placed header to extend the lead to 3-1.

Rogerio then capped the festivities with a goal in the final seconds to round out the 4-1 scoreline.