MIAMI, Florida – For the first time in their history, Managua FC of Nicaragua have advanced past a round in a Concacaf tournament by registering a 5-4 penalty shootout win over CD FAS of El Salvador in the Preliminary Round of the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League on Tuesday night at the Estadio Cuscatlan in San Salvador, El Salvador.

The two sides battled to a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes and Managua would prove superior from the spot to earn a date in the Round of 16 with 2017 SCL champions Olimpia of Honduras on November 5.

FAS looked to get out of the gates quickly and a header from Diego Areco in the 10’ appeared goal-bound, only for Managua GK Lester Acevedo to make the save.

Two minutes later, Wilma Torres received contact from behind while waiting to receive a pass in the Managua box, resulting in a penalty and Areco calmly converting the spot kick to make it 1-0 to FAS.

Managua aimed to get back on level terms in the second half and Nehum Peralta was presented with a golden opportunity to do so in the 55’, but his header drew a reaction save from FAS GK Kevin Carabantes.

Managua continued with the pressure and the 1-1 equalizer came in the 58’, with Ricardo Mendieta hauling in a pass and poking in a shot.

Both sides were keen to find a winner to avoid penalty kicks and Raul Penaranda nearly was the hero for FAS in the 83’, but could not finish past a wall of Managua defenders.

Matters had to be settled in a penalty shootout and the decisive moment came when Acevedo saved Walter Chiguila’s attempt to secure Managua’s passage.