Águila Holds Olimpia in a Dramatic 2-2 Draw
What a night of football it was at the Cuscatlán Stadium, where Club Deportivo Águila and Olimpia staged a dramatic 2-2 draw that left fans both thrilled and anxious. The Salvadoran side fought bravely, but the late equalizer by Olimpia has left Águila in a complicated position in the Copa Centroamericana, with qualification hopes now hanging by a thread.
The game started with Águila determined to take control, and their efforts paid off in the 29th minute. A defensive mistake from Olimpia was pounced on by Darwin Cerén, the captain of the Salvadoran team, who fired from mid-range to give his side the lead. The stadium erupted, but the joy was short-lived. Just ten minutes later, Jerry Bengtson of Olimpia leveled the score with a powerful left-footed strike after exploiting a lapse in Águila’s back line. The first half ended with the scoreboard even, setting the stage for more drama.
Also Read:When the second half began, Águila continued pressing forward. Their persistence was rewarded in the 71st minute when Mauro Caballero, with a clever backheel finish, restored the lead for the Salvadoran club. It felt like redemption was close, especially after their earlier heavy defeat against Xelajú. But football can be cruel, and it proved so once again. In the 80th minute, Jorge Benguche, who had just come on as a substitute, imposed his physical strength and slotted home a low strike past goalkeeper Benji Villalobos. The Cuscatlán crowd, which had been roaring moments earlier, was silenced by the Honduran side’s comeback.
This 2-2 result leaves Olimpia with seven points and a strong chance of moving into the next round, while Águila sits on four points and a negative goal difference. To advance, Águila will need both results and fortune to go their way, especially with Guatemala’s Xelajú already qualified after dominating the group with nine points.
Still, the performance of Águila deserves recognition. They stood toe-to-toe with one of Central America’s giants. Olimpia is no ordinary rival—it is Honduras’ most decorated club, boasting over 37 domestic titles and international trophies, including two Concacaf Champions Cups and multiple regional crowns. That context highlights the courage shown by the Salvadoran team, who refused to back down despite the challenge.
For coach Daniel Messina’s men, the journey continues with a crucial away game against Nicaragua’s Real Estelí on August 27. Domestically, they will also face Zacatecoluca in league play this Saturday, where a win could boost morale ahead of their decisive continental test.
So while the draw against Olimpia feels bittersweet, Águila has proven it can rise to the occasion. Whether that fighting spirit will be enough to carry them into the next round is a question only the coming matches will answer.
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