2019 Concacaf Champions League match recap: Santos Laguna 5, Marathón 0 (11-2 aggregate)

Even though it was for all intents and purposes over before it started, Santos Laguna left no doubt as to who would be advancing to the 2019 Concacaf Champions League Quarterfinal round. Los Gurreros came out with a dominant performance over Honduras’ CD Marathón, winning 5-0 and ending the aggregate up 11-2.

While they looked content to retain possession and not pressure much, Santos did have a decent chance in the sixth minute when Julio Furch put a shot on frame that goalkeeper Denovan Torres had trouble handling. Furch got his head on a cross from José Abella in the eighth minute that he put just wide of the mark.

In the 19th minute it would be Marlos Moreno that would break through, getting his head on to a great ball in from Jesús Angulo and beating Torres to give the hosts the lead.

Just three minutes later, Santos would strike again when Matheus Doría would ring a shot off of the post. The ball fell to the feet of Furch, who easily tapped it in past the prone goalkeeper for the second goal of the evening for Santos.

In the 29th minute, Santos almost got another when Ulíses Rivas got his head onto a free kick that glanced off of the outside of the post. He’d get his goal in the 31st minute when Moreno crossed it to his feet in the box. He took a touch and poked it home for the third goal of the evening.

In the 49th minute, left back Jesús Angulo was played in on a great ball. He faked out Torres and hit a wide open shot but rang it off of the post.In the 70th minute, Bryan Garnica hit a rocket that whistled high of the mark. Moreno had a golden opportunity to double his tally in the 79th minute but hit his shot well over the bar and into the stands.

Eduardo Aguirre would get Santos’ tenth goal of the series in the 81st minute with a header on a ball from Carlos Orrantía. In the 83rd minute, Moreno came charging into the box with a head of steam and was flattened by two Marathón defenders. The referee had no choice but to award the penalty, and Diego De Buen would convert to make it 5-0 on the evening.

The remainder of the match was nothing exciting. Santos looked solid defensively and was trying to just get through the match without picking up an injury or burning anyone out. Marathón tried to at least get one goal back for pride, but all too often spent time being whistled for fouls and picking up cards.

With the result, Santos Laguna will play the New York Red Bulls over the next two weeks. Santos will head to Guanajuato to face León in Liga MX play on Saturday. Marathón will face Real de Minas on Sunday in Honduran Liga Nacional on Sunday.

Santos Laguna: Carlos Acevedo; Jesús Angulo, Hugo Nervo, Matheus Doría, José Abella (Carlos Orrantía, 66’); Marlos Moreno, José Juan Vázquez (Diego De Buen, 58’), Ulíses Rivas, Bryan Garnica; Deinner Quiñones, Julio Furch (Eduardo Aguirre, 46’)

CD Marathón: Denovan Torres; Kevin Espinoza, Samuel Córdova, Bryan Johnson, Carlos Perdomo; Marlon Ramirez, Bryan Martínez (Joshua Vargas, 46’), Allan Banegas, Bryan Barrios; Yustin Arboleda (Edwin Solano, 58’), Carlos Discua (Yaudel Lahera, 46’)

Scoring: Santos Laguna - Marlos Moreno (18’), Julio Furch (22’), Ulíses Rivas (31’), Eduardo Aguirre (80’), Diego De Buen (penalty - 84’); CD Marathón - None

Disciplinary: Santos Laguna - None; CD Marathón - Bryan Martínez (Yellow - 24’), Samuel Córdova (Yellow - 30’), Bryan Barrios (Yellow - 65’), Allan Banegas (Yellow - 68’)