SAN PEDRO SULA – Johan Venegas scored a goal and had two assists to help orchestrate a 3-0 victory for Alajuelense of Costa Rica at Honduran side Real Espana in the first leg of the 2022 Scotiabank Concacaf League semifinals on Tuesday night at the Estadio Francisco Morazan in San Pedro Sula, Honduras.

It was all Real Espana in the first 10 minutes, as the hosts came storming out of the gates, but they suddenly found themselves down 1-0 in the 11’ when a defensive miscue allowed Alajuelense to take the lead.

An attempted clearance with GK Luis Lopez well off his line bounced off a Real Espana defender and ultimately to Venegas, whose effort was redirected into net by Freddy Gondola.

Real Espana went right back to their attacking ways, but Alajuelense were finding space in transition and nearly netted a second just shy of the hour mark when Gondola skirted a shot wide. 

The best chance for the hosts was right before intermission when Pedro Baez got behind the defense and had just Moreira to beat, only to scuff his shot.

The start of the second half was almost a carbon copy of the first, as Real Espana were strong after the re-start, but the next goal belonged to Alajuelense, as a long punt from Moreira fell to Venegas, who beat a defender and swung in a shot past Lopez for his 16th career SCL goal and a 2-0 Alajuelense lead in the 59’.

The transition game was to Alajuelense’s benefit and two minutes later Celso Borges made it 3-0 when he was left all alone on a counterattack, making it easy for Venegas to slide over a pass and Borges finished it off with an exquisite chip over the head of Lopez.

Real Espana were desperate to pull a goal back and Getsel Montes was inches from doing so right in front of goal in the 71’, but his reaction shot sailed over the crossbar.

In the end, it was a decisive win for the Ticos, who will carry a comfortable advantage into next week’s second leg.