Nicaragua performed tonight at the National Stadium in Managua by defeating Barbados 5-1 for the second round of the Concacaf Nations League.
With almost a full venue even though it was Monday and with the rain, the ‘Pinoleros’ continued to show their good level of play and had no major problems in getting the three points.
The goals were the work of Ariagner Smith (10), Juan Pérez (40), double by forward Jaime Moreno (45+1 and 74) and Jacob Montes (68). The discount for the Caribbean was in the 90th with a free kick by Thierry Gale.
The result could have been more, but Barbados goalkeeper Liam Braithwaite had some key interventions in the second half.
Smith opened the scoring in the first ten minutes with a header following a corner while Pérez scored the second with a superb goal. The center back who plays for Alajuelense in Costa Rica hit a left-footed shot from outside the area that was impossible for the goalkeeper.
When extra time was played in the first half, Jaime Moreno had a clear foul in the area and was in charge of taking the penalty. His shot was saved by the goalkeeper, but he was not forgiven for the rebound.
In the second half, Jacop Montes scored the fourth in the 68th and Moreno would appear again in the 74th to score the final fifth.
Classification and next game
Nicaragua has six points and remains at the top of League B in Group B. It is worth noting that on the first day it defeated the Dominican Republic (0-2), which is in second place, because it lost earlier in the 3 -0 to Montserrat. Only Barbados did not join last.
The next game for the Nicaraguans will be on October 13 when the Nations League action returns and they face Monserrat.
