2023 CONCACAF Central American Cup knockout stage


The 2023 CONCACAF Central American Cup knockout stage was played from 26 September to 5 December 2023. A total of 8 teams competed in the knockout stage to decide the champions of the 2023 CONCACAF Central American Cup.

Qualified teams


The winners and runners-up of each of the four groups in the group stage advanced to the quarter-finals.
GroupWinnersRunners-up
A Saprissa Cartaginés
B Independiente Real Estelí
C Herediano Comunicaciones
D Alajuelense Motagua

Seeding


Teams were seeded 1–8 based on results in the group stage and assigned a position in a fixed bracket. For example, the first semi-final was contested between the winner of the 1 vs. 8 quarter-final and the winner of the 4 vs. 5 quarter-final. For each round, the host of the second leg was determined based on performance in all previous rounds, including the group stage.

Format


The knockout stage was played on a single-elimination tournament with the following rules:
  • Each tie was played on a home-and-away two-legged basis. The home team of the second leg in each tie was determined separately for each round as follows :
  • *In the quarter-finals, the group winners hosted the second leg.
  • *In the semi-finals and play-in, the higher-ranked teams based on total points accumulated in the group stage and the quarterfinals hosted the second leg.
  • *In the finals, the higher-ranked team based on total points accumulated in the group stage, quarterfinals, and semi-finals hosted the second leg.
  • In the quarter-finals and semi-finals, if tied on aggregate, the away goals rule would be used. If still tied, the penalty shoot-out would be directly used to determine the winners.
  • In the play-in and finals, if tied on aggregate, the away goals rule would also be used. If still tied, 30 minutes of extra time would be played without the away goals rule during this time. If still tied after extra time, the penalty shoot-out would be used to determine the winner.

Bracket

The bracket of the final stages was determined as follows:
RoundMatchups
Quarter-finals
  • Match QF1: Team seeded 1 vs. Team seeded 8
  • Match QF2: Team seeded 4 vs. Team seeded 5
  • Match QF3: Team seeded 2 vs. Team seeded 7
  • Match QF4: Team seeded 3 vs. Team seeded 6
Play-in round
  • Match PI1: Loser QF1 vs. Loser QF2
  • Match PI2: Loser QF3 vs. Loser QF4
Semi-finals
  • Match SF1: Winner QF1 vs. Winner QF2
  • Match SF2: Winner QF3 vs. Winner QF4
Finals
  • Winner SF1 vs. Winner SF2

The bracket was decided based on the quarter-finals seeding.

Quarter-finals

In the quarter-finals, the teams were seeded based on their results in the group stage, with the group winners seeded 1–4, and the group runners-up seeded 5–8. The group winners hosted the second leg.


Summary


The first legs were played on 26–28 September, and the second legs were played on 3–5 October 2023.

Matches

Alajuelense won 6–1 on aggregate, advanced to the semi-finals and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One at minimum. Cartaginés advanced to the play-in.
----
Herediano won 3–2 on aggregate, advanced to the semi-finals and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One at minimum. Comunicaciones advanced to the play-in.
----
Real Estelí won 3–2 on aggregate, advanced to the semi-finals and qualifies for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One at minimum. Saprissa advanced to the play-in.
----
''Independiente won 3–1 on aggregate, advanced to the semi-finals and qualifies for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One at minimum. Motagua advanced to the play-in.''

Semi-finals and Play-in

Play-in

In the play-in, the team in each tie which have the better performance across all previous rounds host the second leg.

Summary


The first legs were played on 24–25 October, and the second legs were played on 31 October – 1 November 2023.

Matches

Tied 2–2 on aggregate, Comunicaciones won on penalties and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One.
----
''Saprissa won 6–2 on aggregate and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One.''

Semi-finals

In the semi-finals, the team in each tie which have the better performance across all previous rounds host the second leg.

Summary


The first legs were played on 25–26 October, and the second legs were played on 1–2 November 2023.

Matches

Tied 4–4 on aggregate, Alajuelense won on penalties and advanced to the finals.
----
''Real Estelí won 3–2 on aggregate and advanced to the finals.''

Finals

In the finals, the team which has the better performances across all previous rounds host the second leg.

Summary


Matches

''Alajuelense won 4–1 on aggregate and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.''