With a goal from a free kick in stoppage time, Santa Ana Municipal tied the second leg 2-2 and, added to the 4-0 victory achieved in the first leg, was left with the title of the National Football League (LNF) Pilsener Cup 2022.
A double by Carlos Trujillo, a saved penalty, a sent off and a refreshing rain were the perfect setting for the Santanecos to lift the crown on the grass of the Héroes y Mártires stadium at the University of El Salvador.
From the beginning, San Salvador bet on advancing its last line and reaching rival territory with the ball dominated, for which it resorted to short touches that avoided losing possession of the ball.
For their part, the Santanecos were cautious, betting from three quarters of the field and opted for long strokes to try to surprise the local defense.
However, as time passed, the westerners were forced to retreat and take refuge in their camp.
It was so that at minute 31, Matías Place prevented a shot from Olivera from entering his goal and sent the ball to a corner kick, but a minute later, when the ball was put into play, Mario Martínez received it alone in the area and sent a powerful shot to make it 1-0.
Once in advantage, San Salvador did not slow down and remained focused on the visiting field, with the idea of increasing the score and ensuring the result, since the tie benefited the pumas.
In the last ten minutes of the first half, the Santanecos were encouraged to slightly advance their lines, which allowed them to find spaces in the defensive scheme of San Salvador.
Leaving their redoubt paid off for the Santanecos, because at minute 41, Carlos Trujillo sent a powerful left-footed shot that slipped into the upper left of the capital’s goal and thus made it 1-1 with which they went to rest.
As expected, San Salvador advanced their ranks in the complementary part and at 50 minutes, Juan Sánchez headed inside the area but goalkeeper Place managed to control the ball.
At minute 57, however, Place brought down Sánchez inside the area, for which center-back Marlon Mejía showed him the red card, and five minutes later Vladimir Laínez entered to defend the goal.
Sánchez reached the penalty line and sent a soft shot to the center, which made Laínez deflect the ball with his right foot to keep the score level.
When 81 minutes elapsed, to refresh his attack and exploit his speed, the Santaneco coach sent Jefferson Palacios for Stivin Cuesta, but at 84′ San Salvador came back to life when Marco Ávila received the ball rejected by a defender and put the 2-1.
Santa Ana did not lose hope and despite having one less player, he was encouraged to go on the attack, and in a free kick in injury time, Trujillo made it 2-2 and reaffirmed the advantage achieved at the Óscar Quiteño stadium, to lift the National Football League title.
