Municipal won 3-1 on their visit to the Marquesa de la Ensenada Stadium this Saturday with goals from Cristian Hernández, Jefry Bantes and Rudy Muñoz, in a match that opened matchday 21 of the 2026 Clausura Tournament and leaves the Rojos alone in the lead with 35 points.
Marquense, who tied the game with a penalty from Diego Casas at the beginning of the second half, could not maintain the tie and were left without scoring at home in a result that complicates their aspirations in the Clausura table.
The game started evenly with both teams seeking control of the ball, but it was Municipal who took the initiative as the minutes passed. In the 38th minute, Cristian Hernández received a long ball and with a shot between goalkeeper Javier Colli’s legs he made it 0-1 for the Reds before the break. A result that was maintained at the first half whistle despite the fog that threatened to interrupt the match.
However, Marquense reacted at the beginning of the complement. At minute 47 the referee signaled a penalty for the Lions after a foul by Aubrey David and Diego Casas converted it to make it 1-1 at minute 50, returning the local enthusiasm. The joy was short-lived for Omar Arellano’s men since in the 74th minute Jefry Bantes chested the ball down inside the area and took a shot in the air to make it 1-2, before Rudy Muñoz sealed the 1-3 in stoppage time to close the scarlet victory.
Municipal leader with a day to play
With this victory, Municipal reaches 35 points and is the sole leader of Clausura 2026 with one day left until the closing of the tournament. Mario Acevedo’s Reds arrive at the last date at the best time with the advantage of depending on themselves to be crowned champions of the competition.
Marquense is left with 30 points in sixth position in the Clausura after not being able to score at home in a match that they had as an opportunity to get closer to the first places. The Lions close without real options for the first places but with permanence practically assured in the accumulated table.
With this result, the last day of Clausura 2026 is presented with Municipal as the favorite for the absolute leadership but with Mixco, Comunicaciones and Xelajú MC still with mathematical options to snatch the championship if the Reds stumble in their last match.