MIAMI - The 2025 Concacaf Central American Cup Quarterfinals delivered top moments, as the four remaining contenders move on to the Semifinals while the other four moved to the Play-In Round.

 

 

Here we present the best moments from the Quarterfinals.

Alajuelense, Real España, Xelajú, and Olimpia advance to the 2026 Champions Cup

LD Alajuelense, Real CD España, Club Xelajú MC, and CD Olimpia were the four series winners in the Quarterfinals, overcoming the likes of FC Motagua, CD Plaza Amador, Sporting San Miguelito, and CS Cartaginés, respectively.

By advancing to the Semifinals, the four clubs secured their participation in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup. The winner of the Concacaf Central American Cup will receive the added benefit of starting the Champions Cup in the Round of 16.

The two remaining berths to the Champions Cup will be determined in the Play-In Round.

 

 

Two-time champion Alajuelense advances in the final minute and achieves its third comeback in tournament history

Reigning champions LD Alajuelense kept its title defense alive with a comeback in the second leg to win its series against FC Motagua on away goals, after ending 2-2 on aggregate.

The only winner of the competition after winning the first two editions, LD Alajuelense was seconds away from its first ever elimination when Diego Campos struck in the 90’+1’. The occasion marked the club’s third comeback all-time in the tournament.

 Michaell Chirinos of CD Olimpia scores the 450th goal in the history of the Central American Cup

Michaell Chirinos scored the opening goal of CD Olimpia’s series against CS Cartaginés, coming in the 9’ of the first leg in Costa Rica. The strike incurred a historic significance as the 450th goal in the history of the Central American Cup.

Olimpia went on to win its series over CS Cartaginés, 5-2 on aggregate.

 

Real España wins in the final minutes against undefeated Plaza Amador

Down 2-nil to CD Plaza Amador, who won the first leg and scored in the first half of the second leg, Real CD España came back late in the second half to tie their series 2-2 on aggregate, advancing to the Semifinals on away goals and earning a spot in the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.

Ricardo Phillips scored in the 75’ and Brayan Moya sealed the series in the 90’, providing the biggest upset of the month’s Concacaf Rankings in the process.

Xelajú advances to the semifinals with a stunning goal in overtime against Sporting SM

Club Xelajú MC was the lone side to win its first leg at home, taking a 2-nil lead with goals from Kevin Ruiz and Derrickson Quirós.

Sporting San Miguelito would not concede the series easily, answering in the 4’ of the second leg through an Ángel Valencia goal, and tying the series on aggregate in the 88’ when Yair Jaen forced extra time.

The series was seconds away from being decided by a penalty shootout, when Romário da Silva struck in the 119’ to win it 3-2 on aggregate for Xelajú, sending the Guatemalan side to the Semifinals and the 2026 Concacaf Champions Cup.