Motagua claimed a comfortable 4-1 victory over Lobos UPNFM in the fourth round of the Apertura tournament on Friday evening. The hosts took control early with R. De Olivera's opener, then extended their lead before the interval through J. Serrano and R. Gomez. By then the visitors were already searching for a way back into the contest.
De Olivera doubled his tally in the 73rd minute, moving ahead of his teammates as the match opened up. The hosts had been more clinical with their chances, converting 6 shots on target into 4 goals while Lobos could only manage 1 from 5 attempts. The visitors' possession advantage of 51 per cent meant little when the final whistle blew.
Five substitutions came in quick succession at the break as both managers reshuffled their lines. Motagua brought on O. Elvir, A. Guity, D. Suazo, L. Hurtado and A. Reyes, while Lobos responded with C. Mejia, J. Portillo, J. Macias and L. Vega before the 71st minute.
D. Carter pulled one back for the visitors in the 86th minute, but it was too late to salvage anything from the afternoon. Motagua's attack registered 23 attempts compared to 19 for the visitors, and their defensive discipline showed through with no red cards and just a single yellow for G. J. Rodas Andrino.
The result keeps Motagua second in the table with 9 points from five games, three wins and two defeats. Lobos remain in sixth place with just 2 points from five matches, having lost three of their last five outings. The hosts will look to build on this performance as they push for a higher finish.