On a crisp October evening at Estadio Pensativo, Antigua GFC rekindled their Liga Nacional title aspirations with a rousing 2-1 comeback victory over Xelajú, overcoming both a second-half deficit and the adversity of playing shorthanded for the final 20 minutes. With this triumph, Antigua not only underscored its resilience but also strengthened its hold on third place, distancing itself from a direct rival in the playoff chase.

Turning Point: Resilience Amid Adversity

Antigua entered the match seeking to rebound from a stuttering run that included just a single win in their last three outings. The first hour saw the hosts probing but unable to find a breakthrough. It was only in the 65th minute that Antigua finally broke the deadlock, capitalizing on a rare defensive lapse by Xelajú. The opener sent the Pensativo crowd into raptures and seemed to settle Antigua's nerves.

But just five minutes later, the narrative careened in a new direction. An Antigua player was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge in midfield. The decision left the hosts with ten men and handed Xelajú a golden opportunity to seize control with over 20 minutes remaining.

Instead, Antigua responded with remarkable composure. In the 76th minute, they doubled their lead, again exploiting a disorganized Xelajú backline. Against the run of play and a man down, Antigua’s second goal was a testament to their determination and tactical discipline.

Xelajú clawed a goal back in the closing stages, capitalizing on their numerical advantage, but their push for an equalizer fell short as Antigua’s defense absorbed the late pressure, securing all three points.

The Stakes: Context in the Table and Recent Form

For Antigua GFC, this victory carries significant weight. The club entered the night in third place with 20 points, their confidence rattled by a 1-3 defeat away to Malacateco just a fortnight prior and a home draw with Municipal before that. Though their September form was uneven, Antigua’s win over Xelajú showcases their knack for rising to the occasion when needed most.

This was not the first time in 2025 that Antigua has gotten the better of Xelajú—back in July, the green-and-white delivered a clinical 2-0 win away, setting a tone for their head-to-head battles. With tonight’s result, Antigua stretches its lead over Xelajú to five points (Antigua now with 23 from 12 matches; Xelajú with 18 points from 13), tightening their grip on a top-three slot and heightening pressure on the trailing pack.

Xelajú, meanwhile, will rue the missed opportunity. Entering fifth and five points adrift of Antigua, they arrived in Antigua fresh off a resounding 3-0 home win over Malacateco and a recent surge that included a trio of victories in four matches across league and continental play. Yet, their inability to capitalize on a man advantage tonight underscores the inconsistency that has hampered their campaign. The defeat not only stalls their momentum but also leaves them vulnerable to the chasing teams outside the playoff zone.

Key Moments and Tactical Shape

The matchup unfolded as a test of nerves and tactical discipline. Antigua’s opener, forged through quick passing and incisive movement, exposed the soft underbelly of a Xelajú defense that has oscillated between brilliance and vulnerability in recent weeks. The second goal, coming after the red card, underscored Antigua’s ability to punish opponents on the counter—an identity the club has leaned on heavily during their best stretches this season.

The sending-off at