MIAMI, Florida – Ramiro Rocca scored a pair of goals to lead Honduran club Real Espana to a 3-1 victory versus Real Esteli in the second leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League Preliminary Round on Thursday night at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula.
The result gave Real Espana a 3-1 victory on aggregate and a date with Costa Rican club Cartagines in the Round of 16.
Real Espana could not have asked for a better start, as they grabbed an early 1-0 lead when Rocca calmly converted a penalty kick in the 7’ to produce the first score of the series.
But Real Esteli were unfazed by the Real Espana goal and midway through the half in the 23’, the visiting Nicaraguans scored a crucial away goal when Fabian Monserrat converted from the penalty spot.
It was now up to Real Espana to answer, but the home side found the going very tough against a resolute Real Esteli defense.
⚽ ¡GOL de @rcdespana! 🟡⚫
— Concacaf (@Concacaf) August 5, 2022
¡Ramiro Rocca anota su segundo del partido y pone a Real España arriba en el marcador! | #SCL22 pic.twitter.com/IuQjomcxF2
The Hondurans kept plugging away and Rocca was able to put his side ahead again, 2-1, by cleaning up a rebound in front of goal.
Jose Reyes then capped the night with an excellent finish in the 88’ to complete the 3-1 scoreline.
From there, the Real Espana defense took over to nail down the win and a place in the next round.
