Saprissa (pictured) celebrates after winning the Costa Rican Campeonato de Invierno Banco Popular title on December 23, 2015, in Alajuela, Costa Rica. (Photo: Imagenes en Costa Rica)

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica -- Saprissa captured its record-extending 32nd Costa Rican title, defeating Alajuelense 2-1 on Wednesday night at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto and winning the two-legged Invierno final 4-1 on aggregate. 

With the triumph, the Monstruo Morado earned a sixth-ever berth in the Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League, becoming the 12th team to qualify for the 2016-17 edition. 

Needing to overturn a two-goal deficit in order to maintain any hope of obtaining its first crown since the 2013 Invierno, Alajuelense conceded a goal in the 22nd minute. In the right side of the box, Andres Imperiale beat diving goalkeeper Patrick Pemberton with a well-placed, left-footed shot from 14-yards out. 

The host’s task was made more difficult four minutes before the break, when Ariel Soto was ejected for his second yellow caution. 

Jonathan McDonald, though, gave the Manudos a lifeline in the 65th minute, making it 1-1 by poking home from three-yards out in the 65th minute after Armando Alonso’s initial shot was blocked by Imperiale.

The visitor responded six minutes later as Daniel Colindres raced through the middle to latch on to a pass from David Ramirez and jabbed an effort over Pemberton from 13-yards out. 

Saprissa has triumphed in three of the last four finals, while Alajuelense has lost three over the same stretch.  

2015 Costa Rican Campeonato de Invierno Banco Popular Final, Second Leg

December 23, 2015: Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto – Alajuela, Costa Rica

Alajuelense 1 (Jonathan McDonald 65’)

Saprissa 2 (Andres Imperiale 22’; Daniel Colindres 71’)

Saprissa wins 2015 Costa Rican Invierno title (agg: 4-1) 

Alajuelense: Patrick Pemberton; Jhonny Acosta, Ariel Soto, Javier Loaiza, Ronald Matarrita, Luis Miguel Valle (Andres Lezcano 46'), Ariel Rodríguez, Carlos Discua (Pablo Gabas 57'), Allen Guevara, Jose Guillermo Ortiz (Armando Alonso 60'), Jonathan McDonald. Head Coach: Hernan Torres 

Saprissa: Danny Carvajal; Adolfo Machado, Francisco Calvo, Andres Imperiale, Hansell Arauz, Marvin Angulo (Deyver Vega 77'), Nestor Monge, Juan Bustos Golobio (Sergio Cordoba 57’), Ulises Segura, Ariel Rodriguez (David Ramirez 60'), Daniel Colindres. Head Coach: Carlos Watson 

R: Henry Bejarano; AR 1: Octavio Jara; AR 2: Osvaldo Luna