LD Alajuelense kicks off title defense with victory over Xelajú

Ronaldo Cisneros nets the winner as defending champions defeat Xelajú in the Central American Cup.

ALAJUELA, Costa Rica – The 2026 Concacaf Central American Cup continued with defending champions LD Alajuelense earning a 1-0 victory over CSD Xelajú MC in Group A on Wednesday at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

The visitors came close to opening the scoring in the 13’ when Antonio López rattled the left post with a shot from outside the box.

Alajuelense goalkeeper Washington Ortega delivered a standout save to deny a long-range shot from López in the 30’.

Ronaldo Cisneros broke the deadlock for Alajuelense in the 75’, delivering the lone goal of the match.

Group A action resumes on Tuesday, with Alajuelense visiting Diriangén FC. Xelajú returns to action on Matchday 3.

Match Stats

• LD Alajuelense snapped a three-game winless streak at home in the CONCACAFCentral American Cup (2 draws, 1 loss). Their last win had been a 1-0 victory overAntigua last August.
• Celso Borges (Alajuelense) recorded three key passes against Xelajú, leadinghis team despite coming off the bench. In addition, he has tallied 11 such passesacross the last two editions of the CONCACAF Central American Cup, more thanany other LD Alajuelense player.
• Ronaldo Cisneros’ (LD Alajuelense) goal was scored from a distance of 30.9meters from the goal. Only one shot in the current CONCACAF Central AmericanCup resulted in a goal from a greater distance: Mariano Torres (Saprissa)against UMECIT (31.3 m).
• Jesús López (Xelajú) was the only player on his team to have more than oneshot in total against LD Alajuelense (4). Counting this Concacaf CentralAmerican Cup season and the previous one, he is the Chivos’ leadingshot-taker (20).
• John Ruiz (LD Alajuelense) had 10 duels won, six ball recoveries, and sixclearances against Xelajú, becoming the first player to achieve these marks inthe current Concacaf Central American Cup. The last player to achieve this wasalso an LDA player: Alexis Gamboa against Olimpia in 2025 (with 13, 7, and 13respectively, excluding players who played in extra time).