Alajuela, Costa Rica– Alajuelense of Costa Rica are through to the Round of 16 of the 2020 Scotiabank Concacaf League after posting a 3-0 win over Cibao FC of Dominican Republic on Wednesday night at the Estadio Alejandro Morera Soto in Alajuela, Costa Rica.

A pair of Alvaro Saborio goals sandwiched a Carlos Mora strike to give the two-time Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League semifinalists a place in the next round where they will face San Francisco of Panama.

For Saborio, his goals were his first in Concacaf club competition since September 19, 2012 when he scored for Real Salt Lake against Tauro FC in the 2012-13 SCCL.

Cibao looked to start quickly using some high pressure, but Alajuelense would soon take over when Barlon Sequeira was fouled in the Cibao area and legendary striker Saborio displayed his expertise by converting from the spot to give the Ticos a 1-0 lead in the 23’.

The hosts had momentum on their side and they increased their advantage to 2-0 in the 36’ courtesy of Mora, who received a cross from Sequeira and finished with aplomb for the goal.

With the two-goal advantage and playing at home, Alajuelense were able to dictate the tempo and play to their liking, while patiently waiting to probe the Cibao defense.

At the other end, outside of an Ismael Diaz shot off a corner kick in the 73’ that skittered just wide, the Alajuelense defense was able to clamp down on the Cibao attack.

Any hopes of a Cibao comeback were essentially put to bed in the 82’ when Saborio scored his second of the night, volleying a right-footed shot past Cibao GK Enzo Guzman to complete the 3-0 scoreline.