(ABOVE) Players from Isidro Metapan (pictured) celebrate after winning the Salvadoran Apertura championship on December 21, 2014, at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador.
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador – Isidro Metapan was crowned champion of El Salvador for the third consecutive time on Sunday, outlasting Aguila 3-2 on penalty kicks after the 2014 Apertura final ended in a 1-1 draw at the Estadio Cuscatlan.
With their 10th all-time title, the Caleros become the first team to qualify for all eight editions of the CONCACAF Champions League.
Following 90 scoreless minutes, the sides went to extra time, where second-half substitute Nicolas Muñoz gave Metapan a 1-0 lead. Aguila’s Gilberto Baires leveled to send the match to penalty kicks.
The best chance in regulation time came to the eventual champion in the 30th minute, when Puerto Rico international Hector Ramos crashed a left-footed shot off the right post from 20-yards out.
Metapan would have to wait until the 113th minute to get a similar opportunity. On that occasion, Muñoz would make it count. David Lopez lofted a long pass into the Aguila box for the Panama international, who – with his back to the goal – received the ball with his left foot, turned right and slipped a shot past goalkeeper Benji Villalobos.
Then, with both sides showing signs of fatigue, Aguila equalized in the 120th minute. Ibsen Castro burst into the right side of the Metapan penalty area and released a quick pass for Baires to snap into the back of the net from nine-yards out.
In penalties, Metapan goalkeeper Fidel stopped three penalties, while three of his teammates – Marvin Monterrosa, Victor Merino and Milton Molina – converted successfully.
