SAN PEDRO SULA – Real Espana of Honduras exploded for three goals in the final 30 minutes to down Costa Rican club Herediano 3-1 in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League quarterfinals on Thursday night at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

The first 45 minutes did not yield any goals, but there was a significant moment midway through the half when Real Espana’s star goalkeeper, Luis Lopez, had to leave due to an injury.

By the hour mark the momentum had shifted toward the home side, who were getting more runs into the Herediano half, including a Carlos Mejia free kick that forced a punch-out save from Herediano GK Esteban Alvarado.

The pressure kept coming from Real Espana and finally the breakthrough arrived in the 63’ when Yeison Mejia pounced on an attempted Herediano clearance and fired into net for a 1-0 Real Espana lead.

It was all Real Espana and they made the most of the moment by tacking on another one, this time from Carlos Mejia, who smashed a left-footed shot inside the post to double the advantage, 2-0, in the 69’.

Herediano needed to react and they almost pulled a goal back in the 73’ through Anthony Contreras’ blazing right-footed shot that kissed the top of the crossbar. 

They did not have to wait much longer though, as just a minute later Keysher Fuller finished off a one-two combination by poking a shot past substitute Real Espana GK Michael Perello to make it 2-1.

Just when Herediano were playing their best, Real Espana restored their two-goal advantage in the 80’ when a long throw-in ended with Ramiro Rocca swinging in a volley for a 3-1 lead.

Herediano attempted to once again get a goal back to reduce the deficit going into next week’s second leg in Costa Rica, but this time the Real Espana back line held to record the two-goal victory.