Saprissa saw off Micisco 3:0 in the CONCACAF Central American Cup group stage at their home ground on Tuesday. Three goals in less than half an hour set the tone, and the hosts never looked like losing control. The result extends their winning streak to five matches.
N. Williams opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and to be fair, everyone saw it coming. Micisco's back line had been under pressure from the first whistle, and Williams was caught in possession before slotting home. The visitors threw everything at it from there, but G. Torres doubled the lead seven minutes in without much fuss.
K. Waston made it 3:0 in the thirty-second minute, and by then Micisco's chances had evaporated. N. Martinez missed a penalty in the thirty-sixth, which was the last real opportunity either side would have. The old head settled them down after that, keeping his side in it despite everything going against them.
The statistics tell the story without embellishment. Sixty per cent possession, eight shots on target against two — the hosts played the game they wanted. Eight blocked shots and seven corners showed they were constantly in Micisco's half. The visitors managed only 100 attacks to 132, and their 25 per cent shooting accuracy reflected a team that couldn't find the final third.
This was a statement win for Saprissa, who had won five in a row before Tuesday. Micisco's three defeats in their last five, including that 5:0 hammering away at Municipal, made this result feel inevitable. The group stage is still young, but the hosts have taken a significant step toward qualification.