Managua FC 3-1 Diriangen FC ( att : 2,000 est ) – 2024/25 Nicaragua Liga Primera Clausura Semi-Final Second Leg

May 12, 2025

These diaries have been fairly regular visitors to football in Nicaragua, with 7 previous reports, the last being in April 2024 when Managua FC won 2-0 at Indigenas de Matagalpa.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2024/04/indigenas-de-matagalpa-fc-0-2-managua.html 

Today saw the second leg of the Clausura semi-final, with the first meeting between the two sides last Thursday ending in a 1-1 draw. The second leg was being played at the 20,000 capacity National Football Stadium, Managua’s usual home ground in the capital which has an artificial surface, for the right to play Real Esteli in the Grand Final.

2024/25 Season Recap

Like many South and Central American countries, Nicaragua follows the Apertura and Clausura format.

The Apertura season was won by Diriangen, who after finishing top in the regular 18 game season, eliminated 6^th placed Managua FC in the semi-final on penalties after two 1-1 draws, and then went on to beat Real Esteli in the final, with a goal in the 6^th minute of added time in the home second leg, to win 4-3 on aggregate. This became Diriangen’s 33^rd title.

Real Esteli comfortably headed the Clausura table, finishing 10 points clear of second placed Managua, with Diriangen a further point behind in third place.

Diriangen beat Matagalpa 2-0 in the quarter final play-off to set up the semi-final with Managua. The first leg was played at the Cacique Diriangén Stadium, and the team from the capital team took an early lead, after a scintillating run down the left wing by Juan Barrera set up Maykel Reyes to finish from close range.

Diriangen dominated the rest of the match and created multiple clear chances, but found Managua goalkeeper Alyer López in inspired form, saving at least five attempts on goal. The equalizer eventually came in the 86th minute through Renzo Carballo, who slid in to turn a low cross from the right wing past the Managua keeper from 6 yards.

Managua FC

Since Managua were featured in these diaries in April 2024, they had been unable to add to their sole title, the 2018 Apertura.

Only two players remained from that day. One was record goal scorer for the national team Juan Barrera, whose 26 goals in 93 appearances was double that of the next highest on the all-time list with the other being defensive midfielder Kevin Serapio ( 28 caps ).

Keeper Alyer Lopez had 4 caps for Nicaragua, winger Abner Acuna had 11 caps,  full-back Jeremy Cuarezma had 2 caps, and attacker Ronald Palacios had 1 cap.

Cuban forward Maykel Reyes ( 52 caps ) was Managua’s leading scorer in the Clausura campaign with 8 goals, and the other foreigners in the Managua squad included Argentine centre-back Matias Steib, Brazilian forward Lucas dos Santos ( who played for Diriangen in the game featured below in 2022 ), Colombian centre-back Darwin Carrero, who has played in Bolivia and Kuwait, and Costa Rican right back Junior Delgado. Ex-Real Esteli attacking midfielder Ewerton Bezerra was from Brazil.

Diriangen FC

Diriangen play in the city of Diriamba, located 44km south of the capital and are one of the oldest sides in Central America. Their Estadio Cacique Diriangen has an official capacity of 7,500, and the Caciques, which translates as Chieftans, usually play in some combination of black and white.

The last time Dirangen were featured in these diaries was back in April 2022, when they routed Export Sebaco 8-0, with 8 different goal scorers. Four of those scorers are still with the club, namely midfielders Jason Coronel ( 32 caps ), centre-forward Luis Coronel ( 18 caps ), defender and captain Erick Tellez ( 31 caps ) and tricky Argentinian winger Carlos Torres. Centre-back Justin Cano ( 3 caps ) was another survivor from that match.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/04/diriangen-fc-8-0-h-export-sebaco-att.html 

Diriangen had four other Nicaragua internationals in their squad. Defensive midfielder Jonathan Moncada ( 18 caps ) was previously with Walter Ferretti and several years ago had a short stint with Latvian side Spartaks Jurmela, centre-back Melvin Hernandez ( 9 caps ), and full-back Anyelo Velasquez ( 1 cap ). Uruguay born former international Richard Rodriguez had won 19 caps for Nicaragua during his career.

In addition to Torres, Diriangen had two other foreigners in their squad. Argentinian midfielder Matais Galvaliz had joined from Guatemalan side Deportivo Guastatoya after having previously played for Honduran side CD Montagua, and Paraguayan forward Renzo Carballo had played for Tacuary in his home country.  Carballo was their top scorer in the Clausura with 10 goals.

Recent Meetings

Prior to the semi-final first leg draw, the results of the two Clausura regular meetings were a 1-0 home win for Diriangen in February, but Managua obtained revenge with a 5-0 victory in the return game at the end of March.

Matchday Information

The journey from Diriamaba to Managua is 44 km, and should normally take an hour by road. It looked like around 100 or so fans had made the journey, but they were situated in the vast main stand. The Managua supporters were packed into the small open stand behind one of the goals, with a handful behind the other goal.

The weather at the 20.00 local kick-off time ( 03.00 UK ) was dry and 29 degrees.

The match was streamed live on the NicaSports YouTube channel, and on the FIFA+ website.

Bet365 made Diriangen 11/10 favourites, with Managua at 2/1 and the draw at 9/4.

Managua made one change from the first leg, with Serapio returning in place of Ramon Estrada, whilst Diriangen kept faith with the same starting XI.

Both sides were in their first choice kits, with Managua in all blue with a yellow band across the chest, whilst Diriangen were in a mostly white but with faint thin black stripes and black sleeves.

Match Report

Dirangen kicked off, attacking the end where the Managua fans were situated, but it was the home side who had the first attack in the opening minute. Ewerton’s floated through ball put Jose Martinez clear, but the linesman’s flag was raised for offside.

The first yellow card was shown in the 5^th minute. Galvaliz tripped Ewerton as he attempted to go pass the Diriangen midfielder on the left, but as the whistle blew for the free-kick, Cano scythed down Barrera to receive the yellow card. Martinez crossed to beyond the far post but Diriangen keeper Ruiz dropped the ball under little pressure, and Reyes was on hand to scoop the ball over two defenders on the line to give Managua the lead. A huge clanger from the keeper and it was 1-0 in the 6^th minute.

Managua’s cheers were short lived though, as Jeremey Cuarezma and Serapio made a hash of trying to clear a low free kick by Richard Rodriguez from the left, and Tellez spun to shoot across goal and into the far corner of the net. 1-1 after 9 minutes.

The yellow cards were soon evened up when Barrera flattened goal scorer Tellez, but shortly after Barrera did well on the left to send a cross towards the far post which Reyes steered back to Martinez, who skipped inside a defender to shoot left footed from just inside the area, but Ruiz partially redeemed himself by pushing the ball away and then gathering.

Back down the other end, Carballo attempted to get on the end of a raking cross from Rodriguez, but under pressure from Steib, could only head wide. Tellez then bravely blocked a shot from Reyes, the ball smacking into his private parts, and when writhing in agony on the ground, Reyes sportingly rushed to assist the Diriangen centre-back. Tellez was able to continue, and Reyes headed the first corner of the match high over the bar.

Oliver Oroczo brought down Serapio to give Managua a free-kick in a central position around 35 yards out. Ewerton’s fierce drive went into the defensive wall but the referee judged it to have been stopped by an arm, so Managua had another free-kick, but 10 yards closer to the goal. This time Martinez rolled the ball to Ewerton, who smashed the ball through the splintering wall, and with keeper Ruiz probably unsighted and motionless, the ball flew into the keeper’s left-hand corner. 2-1 in the 21^st minute.

Almost immediately after, a long-range effort from bald but bearded playmaker Rodriguez was deflected to give the visitors their first corner. The delivery from Rodriguez was headed away, and when Martinez attempted to race down the right wing, he was impeded by Velasquez, who received the third yellow card of the game.

Diriangen carelessly gave the ball away in the middle of their half, but Martinez blazed from distance high and wide. As the game entered the 27^th minute, and high cross from Moncada was headed back across goal by Rodriguez, but after a bit of a scramble, Managua were able to clear. A cross-cum-shot from Hernandez was then easily saved by the Managua keeper.

Martinez then popped up on the left wing to win a corner for Managua. Slightly controversially, shortly after, the referee played an advantage after a foul on Ewerton, but Managua put the ball out for a throw to allow treatment to Ewerton. The Brazilian eventually recovered without the trainer coming on to the pitch but Diriangen didn’t give possession back to Managua when play resumed.

Diriangen were enjoying a spell of pressure, but Managua defended a couple of free-kicks, a corner and a couple of crosses, until Steib barged over Orozco to add to the tally of yellow cards. Coronel’s right wing cross drifted wide of the far post. Yellow card were also shown to both benches.

With four minutes of the first half remaining, Managua broke through Reyes, but after a lay off to Martinez, Velasquez was able to get back to dispossess the diminutive Managua winger, who then was able to force a corner.

At the half-time interval, Managua led thanks to their strong start, but then were able to keep Diriangen at arm’s length despite the visitor’s enjoying the lion’s share of possession.

At the start of the second period, Diriangen nearly levelled the scores 15 seconds, but Galvaliz’s drive from close to the penalty spot after Moncada’s pull back from the byline was spectacularly pushed away by Lopez.

Managua broke quickly and Velasquez pushed over Martinez close to the Diriangen byline, and was fortunate not to be shown a second yellow card. After the free-kick was cleared, shortly after, Barrera’s 20 yard left-footed volley was pushed around the post by the diving Ruiz.

A flowing Diriangen move ended with Lopez bravely claiming Rodriguez’s cross, and he was rewarded by being clattered into by substitute Luis Coronel.

In the 54^th minute a Diriangen free-kick from the angle of the penalty area was taken by Rodriguez, but went straight into the defensive wall and off for a corner. Shortly after, Luis Coronel then entered the referee’s notebook for a very late challenge on Cacares.

Diriangen were still pressing, and a delicate chip into the Managua area saw Rodriguez head across goal, but Managua were able to clear before a Diriangen forward could get to it.

In the 62^nd minute Galvaliz played a pass across the penalty area for Moncada, but the effort was deflected for a corner. After some head tennis at the set-piece, Cano’s attempt was deflected for another corner, from which Luis Coronel’s weak header bounced easily for keeper Lopez to gather.

The visitors continued to probe and in the 65^th minute Galvaliz’s long range volley went gently into arms of Managua keeper.

However, a long ball down left hand channel saw Reyes skip past Cano to get to the byline, nit his attempted square ball to Barrera from tight angle deflected off keeper Ruiz’s outstretched foot to Martinez, who slammed across the goal into corner of net from 6 yards. Martinez was shown a yellow card for taking his shirt off in celebration, but it was now 3-1 after 66 minutes.

Diriangen temporarily looked a beaten side but an overhit Managua corner reached Cuarezma, but his wild swing sent the ball high into the air and Ruiz was able to punch away. Reyes was injured during the attack and had to be taken off on a stretcher

Diriangen’s attempts to get back into the game saw a right wing cross headed away by Carrero, then Galvaliz was chopped done outside the Managua area, for which Barrera was shown a yellow card. Galvaliz sent the free-kick over the defensive wall, but Lopez made a smart diving save to push the ball away one-handed for a corner.

Dirangen continue to search for a goal, and a left wing cross was headed across goal by Carballo, but Luis Coronel’s wild slash headed for the corner flag. With 6 minutes remaining Velasquez’s low 25 yard left footed drive from left wnt across the goalmouth and although Carballo stuck out leg, he couldn’t make contact and the ball went off for a goal-kick.

With normal time up, Managua substitute Kevin Miranda was shown a yellow card for YC for blatantly stopping a free-kick from being taken. It was his first contribution after coming onto the pitch. The free-kick was cleared and Managua set off on a counterattack, but Lucas dos Santos hit post from edge of the area.

With the game petering out in added on time, a long range shot from Jason Coronel produced a regulation diving save from Managua keeper Lopez, then a right-wing cross bounced across the Managua 6 yard line and was headed off for a corner by Delgado.

The final whistle sounded shortly after, and Managua had earnt the right to play Real Esteli in the Grand Final.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDzX28q0pEU

Managua FC : A. Lopez – Cuarezma ( Delgado ), Steib, Carrero, Caceres – Martinez ( Palacios ), M. Lopez ( Dos Santos ), Serapio, Ewerton Bezerra, Barrera ( Miranda ) – Reyes ( Acuna )

Diriangen FC : Ruiz – Hernandez, Cano, Tellez, Velasquez – Rodriguez ( Zapata ), J. Coronel, Galvaliz – Orozco ( L. Coronel ), Carballo, Moncada

Indigenas de Matagalpa FC 0-2 Managua FC ( att : 200 est ) - Nicaragua 2023/24 Liga Primera Clausura

April 24, 2024

Today saw the start of the penultimate round of the 2023/24 Clausura season in Nicaragua, with a meeting of 6^th placed Matagalpa versus 3^rd placed Managua FC.  With only three points separating the sides it was all to play for to qualify for the end of season play-offs……

These diaries had made six previous reviews of the Nicaragua Primera league, with the first being way back in May 2020 when Nicaragua was one of the few leagues playing through the Covid pandemic, and Managua played Real Esteli in the 2020 Clausura final, which after a 1-1 away draw, they lost 1-3 at home.

 https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2020/05/preview-nicaragua-clausura-final-second.html

In subsequent seasons, Managua have been perennial participants in the play-offs but have been unable to add to their one title, the 2018 Apertura. In 2020/21 they lost the Clausura final to Diriangen 1-3 on aggregate, and lost to the same opposition in the 2021/22 Clausura semi-final, which was also featured in these diaries.

https://fatbearssportingdiaries.blogspot.com/2022/05/review-nicaragua-202122-liga-primera.html 

In the 2022/23 Apertura semi-final they lost 0-2 on aggregate to Real Esteli and also lost in the Clausura semi-final to Real Esteli in a penalty shootout. After losing 0-1 at home they won 3-2 away.

Real Esteli were also too strong in the 2023/24 Apertura, as Managua lost 0-1 on aggregate in the semi-finals.

Managua started the round today with an 8-6-4 record to sit in third place and had the second best away record at 3-3-2, having lost only at Ocotal and Esteli. However, they had lost three of their four most recent matches and had just one win in their last 6 matches.

Brazilian striker Lucas dos Santos was their top scorer with 7 goals, after having scored 17 goals in the Apertura campaign but was a substitute today.  Midfielder Juan Barrera ( 79 caps, 24 goals ) was part of the Real Esteli side in the 2020 Clausura final, whilst their other internationals starting today were midfielders Kevin Serapio ( 25 caps ), Agenor Baez ( 4 caps ) and Waldner Vasquez  ( 1 cap ). Serapio was pressed into playing as a centre-back today, and diminutive striker Sushy Lopez won’t be 16 until June !

All of the Managua starting XI were Nicaraguan and only one of their four Brazilians were on the bench.

Matagalpa Background

Matagalpa is the 7^th largest city in Nicaragua with a population of around 115,000 and is situated around 130km north of the capital Managua, which typically would take just under 3 hours by road.

Indigenas de Matagalpa FC are in their first season in the Primera League after winning promotion last season. They play in the 5,000 capacity Estadio Municipal de Matagalpa which is also the home of CS Sebaco, who were featured in these diaries in March 2023 when they beat Juventus Managua. It has a smart covered seated stand along one side of the pitch and an open terrace behind one goal, but nothing yet on the other two sides of the stadium. It has an artificial grass surface.

Matagalpa had finished 8^th in the Apertura, compared to 4^th for Managua, but had made a better fist of it in the Clausura with a 6-3-7 record and had taken 10 points from their last 4 matches so were entering the crucial part of the season in good form. At home they were 5-2-1, with only runaway leaders Diriangen taking all three points from them after a 93^rd minute goal gave them a 3-2 victory.

The one notable name in the Matagalpa side was Mexican striker Taufic Guarch, who was also in the Real Esteli team in the 2020 Clausura final and has now played for 5 Nicaraguan sides in the Primera League. He played today with a white bandage around his head.

Three other foreigners in their team today were all Colombian, defenders Luis Vanegas and Aldair Simanca and striker Edwin Lopez. Vanegas and Lopez were their leading scorers in the Clausura with 5 goals each.

Previous Meetings

Earlier in the Clausura competition, Managua beat Matagalpa 3-2 in the capital. This was also the score in the Apertura, although the return in Matagalpa was a 1-1 draw.

Matchday Information

The temperature on a sunny day at the 15.00 local time kick-off ( 22.00 UK time ) was 27 degrees.

The home side were playing in a mostly white and yellow shirt covered with all sorts of patterns typical of a 5 year old’s painting lesson, whilst Managua were in all blue but with yellow across their upper chests.

Most of the small crowd were sitting at the back of the main stand under cover of the roof and out of the sun, but around 20 fanatics with trumpets and drums were on the open terrace behind the goal Matagalpa were attacking in the first half. 20 or so Managua fans arrived mid-way through the first-half, presumably having been delayed on their way to Matagalpa.

Match Report

As the teams lined up before the kick-off, Matagalpa looked bigger and stronger than the Managua players and they began the match impressively, playing the ball around nicely. However, they were unable to create any danger though, with just a couple of right-wing crosses fizzing across the visitors’ 6 yard line.

The first chance arrived in the 12^th minute. After a spell of pressure, Zuniga’s left footed shot from the edge of area hit Serapio on the foot and looped up into the air, but Lopez’s left footed volley from 6 yards went wide. It was a great chance squandered.

The first yellow card of the match was shown to Simanca in the 14^th minute for a late tackle on Barrera on the halfway line.

The home side continued to dominate but Colindres’ header from Guarch’s corner was weak and easily saved by Mendez.

However, the game took an unexpected turn when Chavez ran into the Matagalpa area but a clumsy and needless challenge from Vanegas brought the left-sided midfielder to the floor and the referee pointed to the spot. Baez’s left footed kick went to the keeper’s left and under his dive to nestle into the back of the net. Against the run of play it was 0-1 after 20 minutes.

Matagalpa though continued to dominate, and a right-wing cross was well headed away by Martin for throw-in, then Zuniga went on a weaving run and played an incisive pass for Benevidez to run on to but portly keeper Mendez came off his line to make a close range block from a shot from an acute angle, and then gathered the loose ball.

Managua were defending stoutly, and Matagalpa were struggling to prise open their defence. A minute before the break, Benevidez’s ball into the area wasn’t dealt with, but when the loose ball reached Luna, he could only meekly scoop harmlessly over the bar.

Stward Castillo then ran past Guerrero to get to the by-line, and his cross to the penalty spot bounced up, but the attempt from Lopez at a scissor kick lacked power and the ball rolled harmlessly to the keeper.

Managua headed to the dressing rooms with a one goal lead, without having had any meaningful effort on goal, apart from the penalty. Serapio was taking the goal-kicks and kicking long, usually resulting in Matagalpa regaining possession, but they had lacked a cutting edge.  

Managua made two changes at the start of the second half, with Lucas dos Santos and Jose Martinez replacing teenagers Lopez and Reyes.

Matagalpa appeared to have put centre-back Vanegas up front, with Guarch moving to a more central midfield playmaker role and Benevidez dropping back to right wing-back.

The home side were still having the better of the game but were being kept at arm’s length. Vanegas’ optimistic long-range effort sailed well wide, then a chip from Guarch over the backline was kept in play by Lopez, but his lay back was to no-one in particular and hoofed cleared by Vasquez.

In the 54^th minute Axel Castillo’s cross from the right saw Guarch challenge Serapio for a header, but when ball looped up, Vanegas’ acrobatic attempt was high and wide.

Managua had a rare attack a minute later as Martinez found Chavez on the left who played a ball down the channel to Barrera. The veteran’s cross was deep but found Lucas dos Santos, but his lay off to Guerrero saw Colindres shield the ball, allowing it to roll to the keeper.

Chavez then played another ball down the left-hand side and Baez brushed past Benevidez. He then played the ball across the goalmouth to set-up Lucas dos Santos but the Brazilian’s left footed shot from close to the penalty spot was at keeper Valenzuela, who saved at second attempt.

The visitor’s good spell continued as Guarch was shown a yellow card for a foul on Martinez near corner flag but the free kick from Dos Santos was punched away.

Matagalpa responded with a cross from Axel Castillo in the 61^st minute which gave Lopez a free header from 8 yards, but he could only glance wide.

Lopez then turned provider with a ball into 6-yard box, but Serapio cleared for a corner before it could reach Vanegas. The corner was cleared but immediately played back in to the danger zone by Benevidez, where Lopez turned and shot left footed from angle of 6 yard box, but his effort hit the diving keeper. Again, Managua fail to clear their lines and a cross from Guarch was headed wide by substitute Gadea.

If felt like the equaliser was coming and in the 66^th minute Granado delivered a teasing left footed cross from left touchline beyond far post where Vanegas could only head into the side netting. A minute later, a fierce long-range drive from Guarch was tipped away by diving keeper for a corner.

At the other end, a long ball out of defence reached Lucas dos Santos who did well to control and lay off to Barrera, who was forced wide to angle of penalty area but his fantastic effort on goal was met by an equally fantastic save from Valenzuela, who acrobatically finger-tipped the ball over the bar.

Goal-scorer Baez was then shown a yellow card for taking too long to leave the field after being substituted, after which Matagalpa’s Gadea’s long range poke snuck past the wrong side of the post.

Managua’s Vasquez was carried off the pitch on a stretcher after a bad foul, for which Valle became the latest player to enter the referee’s note book.

11 minutes from time a long-range Matagalpa shot took a deflection but Valle reached the ball on the by-line. However, his cross-cum-shot was at keeper Mendez, who made the catch.

Managua should have increased their lead in the 81^st minute but after Martinez got to the by-line, his low cross was missed by the diving keeper but also by Lucas dos Santos 6 yards out, and the chance went begging.

With time running out, Guarch tried his luck again from 35 yards but his piledriver flew just wide. However, the killer blow arrived three minutes from time. Dos Santos again did well to hold the ball up and his flick forward enabled Castenada to run clear and slip the ball left footed from 12 yards past the advancing keeper to complete the smash and grab raid. His reward was a couple of playful couple of kicks to the backside from Barrera. 0-2 after 87 minutes.

Matagalpa strove for a consolation and a minute from time a cross from the right from Axel Castillo was not dealt with by the Managua defence, and the ball fell to Vanegas who, under pressure from Guerrero, completely missed his kick from 6 yards out and Mendez dived onto the loose ball.

In the second minute of added on time, a long ball was headed down to Lopez edge of the area, but his afternoon was summed up as his left footed effort was sliced wide.

Although there were two yellow cards for Managua in added time, the visitors held on for a win that consolidated their position in third place. Having dominated for long periods of the match, Matagalpa will probably be wondering how they failed to get anything for the game. They stayed in 6^th place but with a visit to Real Esteli still to come, they look likely to miss out on their first ever championship play-off.

Highlights : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZJw1s99DVQ

Matagalpa FC : Valenzuela – Vanegas, Simanca, Colindres ( Valle ) – Luna ( Gadea ) Zuniga, A. Castillo, S. Castillo ( Granado ), Benavidez – Lopez, Guarch

Managua FC : Mendez – Martin, Serapio, Rodriguez,– Guerrero, Baez ( E. Lopez ), Vasquez ( Castenada ), Chavez ( Mairena ), Reyes ( Martinez ) – Barrera, S. Lopez ( Lucas dos Santos )