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The 2-2 draw between Saprissa and Pumas on Wednesday night was a blast to watch. The Mexican team was close to getting the W in Costa Rica, but a howler from the experienced Alfredo Talavera and an inspired Christian Bolaños left things even after the first leg of the most riveting series in the 2022 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16.
Saprissa is the last non-Mexican team to win the Concachampions. The Monstruo Morado got the trophy in 2005, defeating Pumas in the final, coincidentally. Bolaños was part of that squad — he even scored a goal — and now, 17 years later, he was again causing trouble to UNAM, scoring a brace and leaving in the memory a sublime attempt that unfortunately was denied by the bar.
Christian Bolaños Spectatular Goal Attempt
Bolaños tried to put his name in the 2022 Puskás Award nominee's list in the first half when the game was still 0-0. After a set-piece, the Costa Rican international tried to score with some sort of Zlatan-esque movement, lifting his right heel and not even looking at the goal. The ball made a beautiful parabola and went over a defenseless Pumas' keeper, but in the end, it struck the bar before leaving the field.
It was close, but Bolaños would get his reward.
Saprissa vs. Pumas Highlights
Just two minutes after Bolaños almost scored one of the most beautiful goals in Concachampions' history, Pumas woke up and went ahead. Alan Mozo became David Beckham for a few seconds and sent in a fantastic cross that Washington Corozo didn't want to waste.
Pumas' lead, though, would not last. Before the end of the first half, Bolaños fabricated a penalty kick for himself. Talavera was able to put his hands on the ball, but he couldn't stop it.
The second 45 minutes were even more exciting. Both teams had innumerable chances until Juan Ignacio Dinenno put Pumas in the lead again with a TNT-filled right-foot shot.
But just when Pumas' players were tasting the sweet flavor of the victory, guess who came to rescue Saprissa — yep, the Bola Bolaños. The midfielder took advantage of a really bad clearance from Talavera and wrote down the final, 2-2.
The second leg between Saprissa and Pumas will be played on Mexican soil. When? Wednesday, Feb. 23 at 10:30 p.m. ET.
