MIAMI, Florida – The 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League is just around the corner, so to get ready for the tournament, Concacaf.com is looking back on the best matches in SCL history.
Continuing with our series, we break down the top five matches from the 2018 SCL.
#2: Motagua 2-0 Tauro
After fending off a sturdy challenge from Jamaica’s Portmore United in the quarterfinals, Honduran side Motagua was matched up with Tauro of Panama in the semifinals.
The tie did not start in Motagua’s favor in Panama City, as Tauro’s Edwin Aguilar scored twice inside the first hour to give the Canalero club a 2-0 lead, only for Juan Pablo Montes to pull a late crucial away goal back for the Catarchos in the 84’.
That set the stage for a dramatic second leg in front of a full house in Tegucigalpa.
It was all Motagua at the start, as the hosts created a slew of chances, yet they could not find a way past Tauro GK Orlando Mosquera, who produced one of the best saves of the tournament by stopping a Reinieri Mayorquin shot from just six yards out.
But there was nothing Mosquera could do to stop Roberto Moreira’s penalty in the 42’, which gave Motagua the lead in the tie.
Tauro sought a response, but the task grew more difficult when Kevin Lopez fired into goal in the 72’, making it 3-2 to Motagua on aggregate.
Nevertheless, a Tauro goal could have evened the tie, but Motagua GK Jonathan Rougier was a calm presence in goal and made several late saves to secure the result and a ticket to the Final.