Santos Laguna Vs. Olimpia, CONCACAF Champions League: Mexican Side Wins First Leg, 3-1

Santos Laguna and Olimpia entered the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League preliminary round tie on complete opposite ends of the strategy spectrum. Santos played to attack at every opportunity in their home leg. They wanted to win by multiple goals. Meanwhile, Olimpia played with six at the back and all the wanted was a scoreless draw. It was Santos who won out, scoring three, but despite Olimpia’s failings at the back they did score a goal. That left the scoreline at 3-1 heading to Honduras next week, which isn’t bad considering a 2-0 win will put them through to the group stage.

For most of the first half Santos were frustrated. They couldn’t break their Honduran opponents down and didn’t really threaten the Olimpia goal all half. That is, expect for one fantastic play by Oribe Peralta. He was played in behind the Olimpia defense and just barely got there before the defender. He didn’t have much time though, as he was quickly shoved to the turf, but on the way down he somehow managed to poke the ball past the keeper and in for the opening tally.

For all of the problems that Santos had breaking Olimpia down in the first half, they were dangerous in the second half. It didn’t take long for him to add to their lead, although it wasn’t exactly pretty considering it came from the penalty spot. Oliver Morazan handled the ball in the box to give Santos the penalty and Juan Rodriguez stepped to the spot. He didn’t hit the ball well, allowing Donis Escober to get a hand to the kick, but it got across the line and Santos led 2-0.

Just two minutes later Santos had themselves a 3-0 lead and it was their second great goal of the evening. Carlos Darwin Quintero had a high ball played up to him that wasn’t easy to handle, but he took a great first touch to get it under control. His next touch came off of the next bounce and Quintero struck a beautiful shot on it from the bounce. The 25-yard shot beat the goalkeeper and just squeezed inside the post for what appeared to be the final nail in Olimpia’s coffin at 3-0.

It would have been easy for Olimpia to go away, but they came right back. They charged down the right side before crossing all the way to the far post where Brayan Beckeles was waiting. He was unmarked and just nodded the ball back across goal and into the side netting for Olimpia’s all-important away goal.

Santos will take their two-goal win. That’s what they needed at home, but having a 3-0 lead that is the result that would have done them wonders. Now they will have to play their first team in Honduras because a 2-0 Olimpia win, which is entirely possible, will see Santos’ Champions League run come to an end.