The Eagles' Crucial Schedule: 4 Must-Watch Motagua Matches In The Liga Nacional Liguilla

As of December 10, 2025, the atmosphere around Fútbol Club Motagua is electric. The "Ciclón Azul" (Blue Cyclone) is deep into the high-stakes final phase, or "Liguilla," of the Honduran Liga Nacional Apertura 2025-2026 tournament, with their title aspirations hanging in the balance. Fans are scrambling to know precisely cuándo juega el Motagua (when Motagua plays), as every game is a knockout-style battle for a spot in the Grand Final. The team is currently navigating a grueling schedule against their biggest rivals, making the upcoming days absolutely critical for the club's history. These are the dates and times you absolutely cannot miss.

The "Eagles" are fighting for their 19th league title, and the path is paved with intense Clasícos and fierce regional rivalries. The schedule is tight, demanding peak performance and strategic rotation from the coaching staff. With the Liguilla format putting them head-to-head with the league's top contenders, every minute on the pitch is a final in itself. The following is the confirmed, up-to-the-minute schedule for Motagua's most crucial upcoming fixtures in the Liga Nacional.

Motagua's Confirmed Liguilla Schedule: December 2025 Showdowns

Motagua’s immediate calendar is dominated by the Liga Nacional Apertura 2025-2026 Liguilla, specifically the "Triangulares" or semifinal stage, where they face a gauntlet of top competitors. The focus is on securing maximum points to advance to the Grand Final. All times are listed in local Honduras time (UTC-6).

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• Match 1: Motagua vs. Real España
• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Competition: Liga Nacional Apertura Liguilla (Triangulares Group A)
• Venue: Estadio José de la Paz Herrera Uclés (Tegucigalpa)
• Stakes: This is a crucial home fixture against a historic rival, often referred to as a "Clásico Moderno." A win here is essential for Motagua's momentum and standing in the three-team group.
• Match 2: Olimpia vs. Motagua
• Date: Wednesday, December 17, 2025
• Time: 7:30 PM
• Competition: Liga Nacional Apertura Liguilla (Triangulares Group A)
• Stakes: The "Clásico Nacional" is perhaps the most important match on the schedule. This away fixture against their eternal rivals, Olimpia, will likely determine who has the upper hand in the group and a clearer path to the final.
• Match 3: Motagua vs. Olimpia
• Date: Saturday, December 20, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Competition: Liga Nacional Apertura Liguilla (Triangulares Group A)
• Stakes: The return leg of the Clásico Nacional, this time on Motagua's home turf. The result of this match could solidify a spot in the Grand Final or force a tense final-day scenario.
• Match 4: Real España vs. Motagua
• Date: Wednesday, December 24, 2025
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Competition: Liga Nacional Apertura Liguilla (Triangulares Group A)
• Stakes: The final match of the Triangulares phase. Playing away in San Pedro Sula, Motagua will need to perform under immense pressure, potentially needing a result to either secure a final berth or claim the second-best spot for a potential second chance.

The High-Stakes Liguilla Format Explained

Understanding the current competition format is key to appreciating the intensity of Motagua's upcoming games. The Liga Nacional Apertura 2025-2026 employs a playoff system known as the "Liguilla" after the regular season concludes. The current phase is the "Triangulares" (Three-Team Groups) or Semifinals, which is a round-robin format that pits the top teams against each other in a mini-league.

Motagua is fighting in one of these groups, and the goal is simple: finish first. The winner of the Triangulares group automatically advances to the Grand Final. If the team that finished first in the regular season (the 'leader') also wins the Triangulares, they are automatically crowned champion. However, if a different team wins the Triangulares, a two-leg Grand Final is played between the regular season leader and the Triangulares winner. This structure ensures that every single game in December is a high-pressure, six-point affair, where the topical authority is the current championship race.

Key Players and Tactical Considerations for the Apertura 2025 Title Run

Motagua's success in this intense final stretch will depend heavily on the performance of its core entities and the tactical acumen of their coaching staff. The demanding schedule—four high-intensity matches in less than two weeks—requires shrewd player rotation, careful injury management, and maximum focus on set pieces, which often decide close playoff encounters. The team’s defense, midfield stability, and clinical finishing will be tested against the best in Honduras.

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Motagua's Roster Depth and Star Entities

The "Azules" possess a deep squad, essential for navigating the congested December schedule. Key entities and players to watch who will be pivotal in answering the question of cuándo juega el Motagua with a victory include:

• Rubilio Castillo: The veteran striker is the team's primary goal threat. His experience in high-pressure "Clasícos" will be invaluable for converting chances.
• Jonathan Rougier: The Argentine goalkeeper is the undisputed number one. His commanding presence and crucial saves will be the foundation of any defensive success against powerful attacking sides like Olimpia and Real España.
• Walter Martínez: A dynamic midfielder whose creativity and passing range can unlock stubborn defenses. He is key to controlling the tempo of the game.
• Marcelo Pereira: A solid central defender who provides leadership and aerial dominance in both boxes.
• Juan Ángel Delgado: A tireless box-to-box midfielder, essential for winning the battle in the center of the park and providing LSI support to both defense and attack.

The tactical battle will focus on controlling the midfield against the powerful Olimpia side and exploiting the flanks against Real España. Given the tight margins of the Liguilla, the team that manages fatigue and minimizes errors will be the one to lift the Torneo Apertura trophy.

Looking Beyond the Liguilla: Potential Grand Final Dates

While the focus is entirely on the December Liguilla fixtures, fans are already looking ahead to the potential Grand Final dates. If Motagua successfully navigates the Triangulares phase and qualifies for the Final, the matches would likely take place in the last week of December 2025.

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The Grand Final is traditionally a two-leg affair, played over a few days, often culminating just before the New Year. The exact dates and times will be confirmed by the Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Honduras (LNFH) immediately following the conclusion of the Liguilla. The anticipation for a potential "Clásico Final" against Olimpia is already building, a rivalry that would be a fitting conclusion to the Apertura 2025-2026 season.

For now, all eyes are fixed on the Estadio José de la Paz Herrera Uclés for the Saturday showdown against Real España. Every Motagua fan knows that the answer to cuándo juega el Motagua is not just a date, but a date with destiny in the Honduran football calendar.