MIAMI – The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup continues with Club Atlético Independiente hosting Deportivo Saprissa in Group C on Wednesday at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Panama City, Panama.

The meeting will be the third between the sides in their history and first in the Central American Cup. The two clubs met in the Quarterfinals of the 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League, with Saprissa winning 3-2 in the first leg and 1-nil in the second leg.

CAI enters the match after securing its first three points of the campaign with a 3-1 win over Verdes FC in Panama City. Goals from Ángel Valverde, Abraham Altamirano, Rafael Águila spurred the club to victory. Altamirano’s goal made history in the competition, as he became the youngest player to score in the Central American Cup at 17 years and two months.

Saprissa takes on the match after winning its first two group stage fixtures and will be in search of another positive outcome to climb to the top of Group C. The Purple club defeated CS Cartaginés 2-nil in its tournament opener, followed by a 2-1 win at Verdes FC on matchweek two. 

Saprissa has previously faced Panamanian opponents 10 times in Concacaf club tournaments, holding a record of 6W-2D-2L.

Historic series

In C.A. I’s 3-1 win over Verdes FC, 17-year-old Abraham Altamirano (17 years, 2 months) became the youngest player to score in the Central American Cup, surpassing Andy Rojas (CS Herediano) who scored against Comunicaciones FC at 17 years, 8 months, and 25 days on August 30, 2023.

Club Atlético Independiente and Deportivo Saprissa will face each other for the third time overall and the first time in the Central American Cup.

Deportivo Saprissa leads the historic series

In their two previous meetings in the Scotiabank Concacaf League, Deportivo Saprissa won both quarterfinal matches in the 2019 edition on their way to the title. In the first leg on September 24, at Estadio Ricardo Saprissa in San José (CRC), the hosts won 3-2 with a hat-trick from Johan Venegas, while Jorman Aguilar and Omar Browne scored for the visitors.

In the second leg on October 1, 2019, at Estadio Agustín “Muquita” Sánchez in Colón (PAN), Deportivo Saprissa secured their semifinal spot with a 1-0 win thanks to a goal from Johan Venegas. These matches remain the only encounters between C.A.I and Costa Rican clubs.

Deportivo Saprissa unbeaten against Panamanian clubs for 25 years

Deportivo Saprissa has faced Panamanian opponents 10 times in Concacaf club tournaments, holding a record of W-6 D-2 L-2. These matches include one draw in the Central American Cup, three wins in the Concacaf Champions Cup, two wins in the Scotiabank Concacaf League, and four matches in the Copa INTERCLUBES (W-1 D-1 L-2).

 

The “Morado Monster’s” only defeats against Panamanian clubs came in the Copa INTERCLUBES: the first on March 2, 2000, in Matchday 6 of Group II during the first phase, a 1-0 loss at Estadio Rommel Fernández in Ciudad de Panamá (PAN) against Club Panamá Viejo, goal by Ricardo Phillips. The second and last defeat was 0-1 on August 4, 2000, in Matchday 2 of Group A in the second phase against Panamá Viejo at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores in Ciudad de Guatemala (GUA), goal by Anael Canales.