Alajuelense Motagua Second Leg Morera Soto Preview
COSTA RICA · SPORTS
Key Facts
- —What is happening Alajuelense of Costa Rica and Motagua of Honduras are level at 0-0 after the first leg, and the second leg is on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at 8 p.m. local time (10 p.m. ET) in Alajuela.
- —Why it matters The winner reaches the final of the Central American Cup, a Concacaf club competition, and the series is open, but away goals decide a level score on aggregate.
- —The numbers The first leg ended 0-0 on Thursday, 22 October. Motagua advance with a win or a draw with goals, while Alajuelense must win, and a goalless draw sends the tie to extra time.
- —Who is who Alajuelense, coached by Óscar Ramírez, are the home side at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, and Motagua are the Tegucigalpa club that hosted the first leg.
- —What to watch Whether Motagua score in Alajuela, because one goal in a draw sends them through, and whether left back Matarrita is available after his one-match suspension.
- —Power Index Costa Rica ranks 9th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 36.5 points (October 2026 edition).
- —What it means for you The match starts at 7 p.m. Pacific and 10 p.m. Eastern, so it ends late on the US East Coast, and no US broadcast is confirmed.
Alajuelense and Motagua are level at 0-0 before Thursday’s return leg in Alajuela. This guide explains the kick-off and the rules that decide the semifinal.
This Alajuelense Motagua second leg Morera Soto preview covers a Central American Cup semifinal that stands at 0-0 with one game left. It kicks off on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at 8 p.m. in Alajuela, Costa Rica, which is 10 p.m. ET.
The winner reaches the final of a tournament run by Concacaf, the football body for North and Central America. Alajuelense must win, while Motagua go through with a win or any draw that has goals.
This guide follows the Rio Times explainer on the first leg. The other semifinal is covered in the Rio Times report on Cartaginés and Olimpia.
What Happened in the First Leg
Alajuelense and Motagua drew 0-0 on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in Tegucigalpa, at the Estadio Nacional José de la Paz Herrera. Concacaf confirms the 0-0 result, and its match report calls the venue Estadio Nacional Chelato Uclés.
La Teja wrote that Alajuelense could not land a blow and left everything open for the return. La Nación said the Costa Rican coach had to replace left back Rónald Matarrita, who served a one-match suspension for yellow cards.
Concacaf said Alajuelense had five shots on target and 60% of possession, while Motagua had three shots. It was Alajuelense’s first goalless draw in the competition, ending a run of 37 matches.
Concacaf says Alajuelense are seeking a fourth consecutive Central American Cup title. Motagua remain unbeaten and kept a third straight clean sheet in the first leg.
Alajuelense Motagua Second Leg Morera Soto Preview: Date, Time and Place
The second leg is on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela. Concacaf lists kick-off at 22:00 ET, which is 8 p.m. in Costa Rica and Honduras.
La Nación and El Heraldo both give 8 p.m. local time for the return. Costa Rica and Honduras use the same clock, six hours behind GMT, with no daylight saving.
Alajuelense host because Concacaf’s regulations give the semifinal second leg to the higher-ranked club on points. Concacaf’s standings list shows Alajuelense on 13 points and Motagua on 12.
How the Tie Is Decided
The aggregate score is 0-0, so the second leg decides the semifinal. If the total is level after 90 minutes, the club with more away goals in regular time advances.
Concacaf’s 2026 regulations, article 12.11.2.1, set this order for semifinals: away goals in regulation time, then extra time, then penalties. La Nación reported the same order on 27 August and 9 September 2026.
Extra time is two periods of 15 minutes with a five-minute break, and away goals do not count in it. A shootout follows under the IFAB Laws of the Game if the clubs are still level.
Alajuelense scored no away goal in Tegucigalpa, so any draw with goals in Alajuela favours Motagua. La Teja said such a draw eliminates the Costa Rican club, and El Mundo reached the same reading.
What Each Club Needs
- Alajuelense win, any score: Alajuelense reach the final.
- Motagua win, any score: Motagua reach the final.
- Draw with goals, such as 1-1 or 2-2: Motagua reach the final on away goals.
- 0-0 draw after 90 minutes: extra time is played, then penalties if the clubs are still level.
The Clubs and the Stakes
Concacaf says Alajuelense beat Marathón 5-3 on aggregate in the quarterfinals. Motagua beat Alianza 3-0 and had not lost in the tournament before the first leg.
Motagua had conceded only two goals in six matches, according to Concacaf’s preview of the first leg. That record explains why the goalless draw in Honduras was a hard result for Alajuelense to break.
All four semifinalists have already qualified for the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup. The Central American Cup champion gets a bye to the Round of 16 of that tournament.
The other semifinal is between Cartaginés of Costa Rica and Olimpia of Honduras, with its second leg on Wednesday, 28 October. Concacaf’s schedule page lists the two-leg final for Wednesday, 2 December and Sunday, 6 December.
For local context, see the Rio Times Costa Rica sports guide and the guide to Costa Rica’s key players. The Rio Times Costa Rica page lists all coverage.
What It Means for You
For US fans, kick-off is 10 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. PT, so it ends around midnight on the East Coast. The sources reviewed give no US television or streaming listing.
The result matters to the Costa Rican and Honduran communities in the United States. Only the final winner earns the Champions Cup bye, because all four semifinalists have already qualified.
What Is Not Known
The sources reviewed do not say which channel or app shows the second leg in the United States. They also give no ticket details, referee or weather forecast.
It is not known whether Matarrita is available for the return, because his suspension covered one match. Neither club has published a squad for the second leg in the reports reviewed.
The sources reviewed name no referee for the match. The final dates of 2 and 6 December come from a June Concacaf page, which El Heraldo repeated on 18 September.
What Comes Next
Thursday’s second leg settles the tie, and the winner meets Olimpia or Cartaginés in the two-leg final. Concacaf lists that final for 2 and 6 December 2026.
A goalless draw does not end the tie at 90 minutes, because extra time and penalties follow. A draw with goals does not send Alajuelense through, because Motagua would win on away goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Alajuelense Motagua second leg?
It is on Thursday, 29 October 2026, at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica. Kick-off is 8 p.m. local time, which is 10 p.m. ET.
What was the score in the first leg?
The first leg ended 0-0 on Thursday, 22 October 2026, in Tegucigalpa, Honduras. No goals were scored, so the aggregate is level.
Who advances if the second leg is a draw?
A draw with goals sends Motagua through on away goals, because Alajuelense scored none in Honduras. A 0-0 draw leads to extra time and then penalties.
What do the winners of the semifinal play for?
The winner reaches the final of the Central American Cup, listed for 2 and 6 December 2026. All four semifinalists are already in the 2027 Concacaf Champions Cup.
Can I watch the match in the United States?
The sources reviewed do not confirm a US broadcast or stream. Kick-off is 10 p.m. ET and 7 p.m. PT.
Sources: Concacaf, semifinals and play-in kick off (20 October 2026); Concacaf, semifinals schedule confirmed; Concacaf, 2026 schedule; Concacaf, first-leg preview; La Teja; El Mundo; Concacaf, first-leg report; Concacaf, 2026 Central American Cup regulations; La Nación, lineup report; La Nación, tie-break rules (27 August); La Nación, away goals rule (9 September); El Heraldo (all accessed 23 October 2026).
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief