Juticalpa vs Marathon: Juticalpa Edge Five-Goal Thriller 3-2 in Honduras Primera Division

Juticalpa produced a dramatic 3-2 victory over Marathon in the Honduras Primera Division on September 21, 2026, turning a tense, end-to-end contest into one of the standout results of the Apertura campaign. At the Estadio Juan Ramón Brevé Vargas, the home side twice surrendered a lead before finding a late winner that sent their supporters home celebrating a valuable three points against one of the league’s traditional powers.

The final score of Juticalpa 3-2 Marathon tells only part of the story. This was a match shaped by quick transitions, set-piece pressure, and two teams willing to commit numbers forward. Marathon arrived with the reputation and the historical edge, but Juticalpa matched them in intensity and found the decisive moment in the closing stages.

Match Overview

• Competition: Honduras Primera Division (Liga Nacional / Apertura 2026)
• Fixture: Juticalpa vs Marathon
• Date: September 21, 2026
• Venue: Estadio Juan Ramón Brevé Vargas, Juticalpa
• Final Score: Juticalpa 3-2 Marathon
• Goals: Juticalpa — Carlos Rivas (12’, 41’), Elder Torres (84’); Marathon — Yerson Gutiérrez (27’), Bryan Martínez (68’)

Juticalpa set up in a fluid 4-2-3-1 and looked to press Marathon high up the pitch. Marathon responded with a more direct 4-4-2, targeting the channels and looking to spring counterattacks through their wide players. The tactical contrast produced an open game with chances at both ends, and neither goalkeeper was short of work.

Key Moments

The opening goal arrived in the 12th minute, and it came from exactly the kind of aggressive pressing Juticalpa had planned. Carlos Rivas pounced on a loose ball just outside the penalty area, shifted it onto his right foot, and beat the Marathon goalkeeper with a low finish into the bottom corner. The home crowd erupted, and Juticalpa briefly looked capable of running away with the match.

Marathon, however, are not a side that panics easily. In the 27th minute, Yerson Gutiérrez levelled the score after a sharp move down the right. Bryan Martínez created the opening with a first-time cross, and Gutiérrez guided his header beyond the reach of the Juticalpa goalkeeper to make it 1-1.

Juticalpa restored their advantage four minutes before half-time. Kevin Hernández advanced from full-back and delivered a deep cross that Rivas met with a composed first-time finish. The striker’s second goal of the night gave the hosts a 2-1 lead at the break and underlined his importance as the focal point of their attack.

Marathon equalised again in the 68th minute, and this time it was Martínez who turned scorer. Jorge López slipped a pass between the Juticalpa centre-backs, and Martínez drove into the box before finishing across the goalkeeper. At 2-2, the match seemed destined for a share of the points.

But Juticalpa had other ideas. In the 84th minute, Rivas turned provider, holding the ball up under pressure before laying it off to Elder Torres. The midfielder took one touch to steady himself and then curled a precise shot into the far corner. It was a goal worthy of winning any match, and it sparked wild scenes around the Estadio Juan Ramón Brevé Vargas.

Tactical Story

Juticalpa’s victory was built on brave pressing and quick ball circulation. Their midfield duo worked tirelessly to cut off Marathon’s central passing lanes, forcing the visitors to play wide and often into crowded areas. When Juticalpa won possession, they looked immediately for Rivas, whose movement between the lines caused constant problems for the Marathon defence.

Marathon enjoyed spells of control, particularly after their second equaliser, and their counterattacking threat was clear throughout. But they struggled to deal with Juticalpa’s intensity in the final 15 minutes, and the winning goal came from a moment of defensive hesitation that the hosts punished ruthlessly.

Statistically, the match reflected its open nature. Juticalpa finished with slightly more possession and more shots on target, while Marathon created several dangerous moments from set pieces and wide overloads. In the end, the difference was the clinical edge of the home side’s finishing.

Standout Players

Carlos Rivas was the undisputed man of the match. His two goals and one assist directly produced all three of Juticalpa’s goals, and his hold-up play gave his team an outlet even during Marathon’s best spells. If he can maintain this form, he will be firmly in the conversation among the Honduras Primera Division’s top scorers.

Elder Torres also deserves special mention. Beyond his stunning late winner,