SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Deportivo Saprissa of Costa Rica took care of business in its 2019 Scotiabank Concacaf League Round of 16 first leg on Wednesday night with a commanding 2-0 victory over Aguila of El Salvador at the Estadio Ricardo Saprissa Ayma in San Jose, Costa Rica.

Saprissa came storming out of the gates and had several good looks at goal, but Aguila withstood the pressure and was an inch from scoring when a long-range rocket from Fredy Espinoza hit the post.

But the Monstruo Morado proved too strong and after a foul in the Aguila area, Johan Venegas stepped up and buried a penalty kick in the 38’ to make it 1-0 to Saprissa.

Saprissa was feeling good and seconds before halftime a strong finish from Michael Barrantes extended the lead to 2-0.

On a couple occasions the Costa Rican side looked poised to add a third, only to just miss the target. Still, the Ticos managed things the rest of the way, remaining defensively solid to secure the clean sheet win.