Herediano secures valuable victory over Real Estelí FC

Herediano records key first victory of the campaign, snaps Real Estelí winning run.

ESTELÍ, Nicaragua - The 2026 Concacaf Central American Cup continued on Tuesday with CS Herediano earning a 2-0 victory over Real Estelí FC in Group B at Estadio Independencia in Estelí, Nicaragua.

Captain Elías Aguilar placed the visitors in the lead in the 21’, with the midfielder receiving a line-splitting pass from Aaron Murillo before striking at the bottom-left corner with a finish from the center of the box.

Herediano doubled its advantage in the 73’ in second half through an own goal from Real Estelí goalkeeper John Faust after a corner kick delivery into the box from Aguilar.

Herediano goalkeeper Dany Carvajal delivered a standout performance to preserve the lead for the visitors and record a clean sheet, including pivotal saves in the final stages of the match in the 82’ and 90’+2’.

The visitors were left with a player down on the substitutes bench when goalkeeper Anthony Walker was shown a red card in the 90’+3’.

Herediano will host Antigua GFC for its decisive fourth and final Group B fixture next Wednesday, Aug. 26 as the Costa Rican side pushes to secure a spot in the Quarterfinals.

Real Estelí FC will also close out its Group Stage campaign that same day with the goal of preserving the Group B lead and advancing to the knockout stage.

Game Notes

• Costa Rican teams have recorded three consecutive victories against Nicaraguan sides for the first time in the Concacaf Central American Cup, following CS Herediano's win today against Real Estelí FC.
• CS Herediano secured their first victory against Real Estelí FC in the Concacaf Central American Cup, after drawing their two previous encounters in the competition: 0-0 and 2-2 in the 2024 semi-finals.
• CS Herediano's Aaron Murillo provided his first assist in the last two editions of the Concacaf Central American Cup. Prior to this match, he had played five games in the competition without creating a single chance.
• CS Herediano opened the scoring with a fast break goal against Real Estelí FC, becoming the team with the most goals of this type in the last two editions of the Concacaf Central American Cup with three, level with Plaza Amador and Club Xelajú.
• Real Estelí FC outshot CS Herediano 18-5 in today's Concacaf Central American Cup match, but the Costa Rican side still scored two goals. This is the first time in the last two editions of the competition that the Nicaraguan team has had 15 or more attempts in a game and lost.