Houston Dynamo 2, Guastatoya 1 | 2019 Concacaf Champions League Recap

Houston Dynamo vs. Guastatoya - Game Highlights

Take a look back the action of tonight’s exciting match between Houston Dynamo and CD Guastatoya which finished 2-1! #SCCL2019 #HOUvCDG

Posted by Scotiabank Concacaf Champions League on Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Despite some nervy moments, the Houston Dynamo advanced to the Concacaf Champions League quarterfinals following a 2-1 second-leg win over Guastatoya at a rain-soaked BBVA Compass Stadium Tuesday night.

Thanks to a late brace by second-half substitute Mauro Manotas, Houston advance to meet UANL Tigres from Liga MX after a 3-1 aggregate-goal victory in the Round of 16. The Dynamo won the first leg in Guatemala City, 1-0, a week ago.

The second leg was delayed two-and-a-half hours due to lightning in the vicinity of the stadium, and when it finally started the visitors from Guatemala pressed for the aggregate equalizer.

After nearly leveling in the 27th minute following a Dynamo defensive gaffe, the visitors got their away goal in the 72nd minute as Aaron Navarro was played into the box by Isaac Acuna and chipped over an onrushing Joe Willis.

The Dynamo would respond just five minutes later, regaining the aggregate-goal lead as Alberth Elis charged up the right flank, sending a perfect ball across the penalty spot where Manotas slammed home first-time.

Manotas added an insurance goal on a deflected free kick five minutes from full time to put the finishing touches on the series.

Goals

• 72’ — GUA — Aaron Navarro (Isaac Acuna)
• 77’ — HOU — Mauro Manotas (Alberth Elis)
• 85’ — HOU — Mauro Manotas

Lineups

Houston Dynamo (4-3-3): Joe Willis -- AJ DeLaGarza, Aljaz Struna, Maynor Figueroa, DaMarcus Beasley -- Darwin Ceren, Matias Vera, Tommy McNamara (Boniek Garcia 81') -- Marlon Hairston, Ronaldo Pena (Mauro Manotas 69'), Romell Quioto (Alberth Elis 60')

CD Guastatoya (5-3-2): José Calderón -- Omar Dominguez, Carlos Gallardo, José Corena, Wilson Pineda, Stefano Cincotta -- José Marquez, Jorge Aparicio (Angel Rodriguez 78'), Aaron Navarro (Kevin Norales 80') -- Luis Martinez (Cristian Reyes 85), Isaac Acuña

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: It’s all about surviving and advancing in the Champions League. Dynamo head coach Wilmer Cabrera would have probably preferred to leave Manotas and Elis on the bench ahead of Saturday's MLS season opener, but he called on them in the second half and his attacking duo paid dividends.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH
: With the match tied on aggregate and penalty kicks looming, Manotas settled the affair with his equalizing goal, though Elis did all the heavy lifting.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Manotas came off the bench and changed the game, leveling the match in the 77th minute and sealing the Dynamo’s passage into the quarterfinals with a second goal eight minutes later.

Next Up

• HOU: Saturday, March 2 vs. Real Salt Lake (6 pm ET | MLS LIVE ON ESPN+ in US, DAZN in Canada)