Olimpia take control of the game with Benguche brace in thrilling second half of Concacaf Champions League encounter. On Wednesday night at Estadio Olimpico Metropolitano in San Pedro Sula, Honduras, Jorge Benguche scored two goals to cap off an impressive three-goal second half to lead Olimpia of Honduras to a 4-1 victory over Liga MX side Atlas in the first leg of the 2023 Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League Round of 16 matchup.
With this victory, Olimpia have now won their last two SCCL matches against Mexican clubs – previously defeating Club America 1-0 in the second leg of 2021 SCCL Round of 16.
Olimpia take control of the game in Champions League encounter.
An electrifying atmosphere greeted the two sides as they exchanged passes in the third minute. Atlas almost scored, but Olimpia GK Edrick Menjivar made a stunning stretch save to keep it scoreless.
However, the tie was broken quickly as Olimpia’s Kevin Lopez latched onto a ball through the area and beat Atlas GK Camilo Vargas to give their side a 1-0 lead in the 10′.
At the start of the second half, the intensity level increased as Olimpia retook the lead with Jorge Benguche’s heroics in goal. Receiving a pass from Jorge Alvarez, Benguche muscling off a defender before slotting it past Vargas for an impressive 2-1 triumph.
Only a minute later, it appeared that Olimpia were set for another goal through Jose Pinto’s volley kick, but Vargas made an amazing reaction save. Unfortunately for Atlas, their foul on Olimpia FW Jerry Bengtson in the area led to a penalty kick and Bengtson made no mistake from it; his goal gave Olimpia a commanding 3-1 lead.
However, Olimpia’s best was yet to come as another pass into Benguche sent the 26-year-old forward racing past defense and floating an exquisite chip over Vargas to extend their lead to 4-1 in 73′.
At that point, the Olimpia defense took control and prevented Atlas from scoring another away goal, capping off an unforgettable night for the Honduran club.