MIAMI – With the 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup kicking off on Tuesday, let’s relive some of the memorable moments from the tournament’s inaugural edition in 2023.

First match and first goal 

The historic first match in Central American Cup history presented a meeting between Real Estelí FC and Xelajú MC at Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua. The hosts claimed a 1-nil win on the night, with Arley Bonilla scoring the winner with the historic first goal in the competition.

 

 

Auzmendi scores first hat-trick in Central American Cup, claims Top Scorer Award

Agustin Auzmendi was one of the biggest transfers of the summer in Honduran football that season. After striking 23 goals in 35 games with Olancho in 2022-23, Auzmendi made the move to three-time Concacaf League finalists Motagua.

His impact was immediately felt, scoring three goals in a span of 13 minutes to earn a hat-trick in Motagua’s opening match of Group D, a 5-0 win in Belize against Verdes. The hat-trick marked the first in CCAC history. Auzmendi went on to win the Top Scorer Award with a total seven goals.

 

 

Alajuelense win first Concacaf title since 2020

Alajuelense were crowned champions of the inaugural Central American Cup and they did it in style, concluding with an undefeated record in 10 encounters. Los Leones first won Group D with a perfect 4-0-0 record, before edging out domestic rivals CS Cartaginés and CS Herediano in the quarterfinals and semifinals, respectively. Alajuelense then defeated Real Estelí with a commanding 4-1 aggregate scoreline in the Final to clinch the cup.

 

 

Suárez, Rodríguez, Moreira lead way in awards

In addition to capturing the title, Alajuelense also came away with most of the Central American Cup awards. Aarón Suárez, Doryan Rodríguez and Leonel Moreira took home individual honors, while the club also claimed the Fair Play trophy.

Suárez was named the Best Player after scoring four goals in eight matches while completing more than 85 percent of his passes.

Rodríguez took home the Best Young Player award, tallying a goal in seven appearances.

Moreira secured the Best Goalkeeper award after allowing just six goals in eight games and making 32 saves.

Real Estelí make history with first Final appearance

Despite falling in the Final, Real Estelí became the first Nicaraguan club to reach a Concacaf Final and did so in impressive fashion.

Estelí finished second in their group, defeating Honduran giants Olimpia along the way, before taking out three-time Concacaf champions Saprissa in the quarterfinals and then Panamanian champions CAI in the semifinals.