Antigua GFC beat Comunicaciones 3-2 this Wednesday at the Pensativo Stadium in the first leg of the Clausura 2026 quarterfinals, in a match that had everything including a power outage that stopped the game for several minutes.
Mauricio Tapia’s colonials prevail with the slightest advantage and reach the second leg on Saturday, May 2 at the Cementos Progreso Stadium with a favorable overall score, although the two goals from the Cremas leave the tie completely open.
The game started well for the colonials. Agustín Maziero took advantage of a lack of concentration by Ernesto Monreal in the 8th minute to open the scoring with a powerful shot that beat Fredy Pérez, and in the 29th minute Oscar Santis entered the area alone and scored for 2-0 before the break. In the second half, Antigua extended the lead in the 53rd minute with a goal from Oscar Castellanos at the near post to make it 3-0, which seemed to seal the match.
However, Communications reacted. Karel Espino scored in the 67th minute and Agustín Vuletich scored the second for the Cremas in the 78th minute to make it 3-2, in a comeback that was incomplete but that gives Marco Antonio Figueroa’s team options for the second leg. The match was also marked by a power outage at the Pensativo Stadium in the 38th minute that forced a wait of more than ten minutes before the game could resume, in addition to a goal disallowed by Dewinder Bradley in the 85th minute due to offside that could have extended the colonial advantage.
What’s coming
With the result 3-2, the tie reaches the second leg completely open. Comunicaciones needs to win by one goal difference at the Estadio Cementos Progreso to advance to the semifinals, while Antigua GFC can qualify with a draw or a loss by one goal difference in cream territory.
Goalkeeper José Pinto left a clear message about the Cremas’ options for the return leg. “We are a team that never gives up, we entered relaxed but I think we knew how to react and we will give everything at home”stated the Communications goalkeeper, who with his words sums up the spirit of a team that knows that the tie is not closed despite the adverse result in the Pensativo.
The second leg will be played this Saturday, May 2 at 6:00 PM at the Cementos Progreso Stadium, in what promises to be one of the most attractive matches in the Clausura 2026 league. Comunicaciones will arrive with the need to come back in front of their fans in one of the most difficult scenarios in the National League for visiting teams.