LD Alajuelense took a major step toward the next round of the CONCACAF Central American Cup with a 3-1 victory over Marathon in the first leg of their quarterfinal on September 18, 2026. In front of a passionate home crowd at Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto, the Costa Rican giants combined patient possession with ruthless finishing to build a two-goal cushion ahead of the return leg in Honduras.

Match Overview

Alajuelense started brightly and imposed themselves on the game from the opening minutes. Their midfield rotated the ball quickly, drawing Marathon out of position before attacking the spaces behind the defense. The early goal settled any nerves and allowed the home side to play with confidence and control.

Marathon, to their credit, did not collapse. The Honduran side defended in numbers, looked dangerous from set pieces, and briefly reduced the deficit in the second half. But Alajuelense responded almost immediately, restoring their two-goal advantage and closing out the match with maturity.

Key Moments

• 14' – Alajuelense take the lead: Joel Campbell received the ball on the edge of the box, shifted onto his left foot, and curled a shot into the far corner.
• 38' – Marathon threaten: Jorge Benguché forced a smart save from the Alajuelense goalkeeper after a quick break.
• 52' – The lead doubles: Alberto Toril rose highest from a corner and powered a header into the net for 2-0.
• 68' – Marathon pull one back: Jorge Benguché found space in the penalty area and finished calmly to make it 2-1.
• 74' – Alajuelense restore control: Joel Campbell scored his second of the night, finishing a flowing team move with a first-time strike.

Tactical Story

Alajuelense set up in a 4-3-3 and focused on width and quick combinations in the final third. Their full-backs pushed high, allowing the wingers to drift inside and create overloads centrally. Joel Campbell’s movement was particularly difficult for Marathon to track, as he repeatedly found pockets of space between the lines.

Marathon adopted a 4-4-2 shape and tried to stay compact, relying on long balls toward Benguché and set-piece opportunities. That approach gave them a brief foothold after their goal, but Alajuelense’s superior technical quality and fitness levels allowed them to regain momentum quickly. The home side’s pressing also prevented Marathon from building any sustained pressure in the closing stages.

Standout Players

Joel Campbell was the clear man of the match, scoring twice and constantly troubling the Marathon defense with his dribbling and vision. Alberto Toril’s aerial presence and link-up play gave Alajuelense a reliable focal point in attack. For Marathon, Jorge Benguché was the brightest performer, taking his goal well and battling hard against a dominant defense.

What It Means for the Return Leg

The 3-1 win gives Alajuelense a valuable two-goal cushion in the CONCACAF Central American Cup quarterfinal. Marathon will need a strong performance at home to overturn the deficit, and an early goal in the second leg could make things interesting. Alajuelense, however, have the experience and attacking quality to manage the tie, and they will travel to Honduras with confidence that they can finish the job.