Real Estelí crowned champions without applause as Nicaraguan league plays on

Real Estelí became champions on Saturday in Nicaragua's top division of football, defeating Managua F.C. 3-1 in the second leg match played without an audience during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Goals from Manuel Rosas in the 47th minute, Brandon Ayerdis in the 70th minute, and Marlon López in the 75th minute made "Tren del Norte" the champions of one of the few leagues in the world that never stopped amidst the threat of the coronavirus.

The final, overshadowed by the lack of atmosphere in the stands, was dominated from the beginning by Real Estelí, who despite their superiority did not impose their favoritism until the direct free kick goal from Mexican Rosas, captain of the champions.

Real Estelí won their third consecutive title tonight, which is their 17th in history. They also reaffirmed their victory in the previous Apertura Tournament against the "Leones" from the Nicaraguan capital. The only prize for the latter was a goal from Mexican Carlos Félix in the 83rd minute, failing in their fifth consecutive final.

"It's not about how you start, but how you finish. Thanks to God, we come to visit and win a well-played championship," said Rosas at the end of the game, through Channel 6, the official broadcaster.

Due to social distancing measures, Rosas received the championship trophy without confetti or his teammates surrounding him.

Real Estelí accompanied their particular television broadcast with the song "El rey" by Mexican artist José Alfredo Jiménez, in the voice of Vicente Fernández, whose music, known in Nicaragua as "ranchera," is the preferred rhythm in Estelí, the city of champions, in the north of the country.

Real Estelí, who had drawn 1-1 with Managua in the first leg, has consecutively won the last three tournaments in the modest Liga Primera in Nicaragua, which gained worldwide fame this year for defying the COVID-19 pandemic.

Line-up:

Real Estelí: Denver Fox; Josué Quijano, Cristiam Gutiérrez, Manuel Rosas; Henry García, Fabrizio Tavano, Harold Medina, Marlon López, Óscar Acevedo; Taufic Guarch (Brandon Ayerdis, 19), Jorge Betancur.

Coach: Holver Flores.

Managua F.C.: Erling Mendez; Wesner D´Trinidad, Marel Álvarez, Sandro Cutiño, Rigoberto Fuentes; Christiano Fernández (Carlos Félix, 54), Jeremy Cuarezma; Pedro Espinoza; Pablo Gallego, Agenor Báez, Cristhiam Quinto.

Coach: Emilio Aburto.

Referee: Nitzar Sandoval.

Goals: 1-0, min 47: Rosas. 2-0, min 70: Ayerdis. 3-0, min 75: López. 3-1, min 83: Félix.

Match details: Second leg of the Clausura Tournament final of the Liga Primera de Nicaragua, at the Estadio Nacional de Fútbol de Managua.