What Is 2013 CONCACAF Champions League Finals

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 CONCACAF Champions League Finals were contested between Mexican clubs Santos Laguna and Monterrey in a two-leg series, with Monterrey winning 4–2 on aggregate after a 4–2 second-leg victory on April 30, 2013, securing their third consecutive title.

Key Facts

Monterrey defeated Santos Laguna 4–2 on aggregate
Second-leg final played on April 30, 2013
Monterrey won the second leg 4–2 at Estadio Tecnológico
Santos Laguna won the first leg 2–0 on April 23, 2013
Monterrey became the first team to win three straight CONCACAF titles

Overview

The 2013 CONCACAF Champions League Finals marked the culmination of the 2012–13 tournament, featuring an all-Mexican final between Santos Laguna and C.F. Monterrey. This was the second consecutive year these two clubs met in the final, highlighting Mexico's dominance in the regional competition.

The two-leg final format tested consistency and resilience, with the first leg hosted by Santos Laguna at Estadio Corona and the second leg at Monterrey’s Estadio Tecnológico. Ultimately, Monterrey reversed their first-leg deficit to claim their third straight CONCACAF title, a historic achievement in the tournament’s history.

First leg: Santos Laguna defeated Monterrey 2–0 on April 23, 2013, at Estadio Corona in Torreón, giving them a strong advantage heading into the second leg.
Second leg: Monterrey responded with a decisive 4–2 victory on April 30, 2013, at Estadio Tecnológico in Monterrey, overcoming the two-goal deficit.
Aggregate score: Monterrey won 4–2 on aggregate, becoming the first club in CONCACAF history to win three consecutive Champions League titles.
Top scorers: Aldo de Nigris scored twice in the second leg, while Humberto Suazo and Bernardo Anor each added crucial goals for Monterrey.
Venue significance: Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey’s home ground, hosted the decisive match, contributing to a strong home-field advantage in front of over 35,000 fans.

How It Works

The CONCACAF Champions League determines the top club in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean through a knockout tournament format culminating in a two-legged final.

Two-leg final: The final is contested over two matches, one at each team’s home stadium, with the winner determined by aggregate goals, including away goals as a tiebreaker.
Group stage: The tournament begins with 24 teams divided into 8 groups, with group winners advancing to the knockout stage.
Knockout rounds: From the quarterfinals onward, teams compete in home-and-away series, with away goals used as a tiebreaker before extra time and penalties.
Qualification: Teams qualify based on domestic league performance, with Mexico and the U.S. receiving multiple slots due to league strength.
Champions League path: The winner earns a spot in the FIFA Club World Cup, representing the CONCACAF region on the global stage.
Historical dominance: Mexican clubs have won 14 of the last 16 CONCACAF Champions League titles, including all from 2006 to 2014.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key performance metrics between the two legs of the 2013 final:

Statistic	First Leg (Santos Laguna vs. Monterrey)	Second Leg (Monterrey vs. Santos Laguna)
Date	April 23, 2013	April 30, 2013
Location	Estadio Corona, Torreón	Estadio Tecnológico, Monterrey
Score	Santos Laguna 2–0 Monterrey	Monterrey 4–2 Santos Laguna
Attendance	22,103	35,045
Top Scorers	Israel Reyes, Oribe Peralta	Aldo de Nigris (2), Humberto Suazo, Bernardo Anor

The second leg saw a dramatic turnaround, with Monterrey’s aggressive play and superior home support leading to a four-goal performance that erased the first-leg deficit. This comeback underscored the importance of home advantage and tactical adjustments in two-legged finals.

Why It Matters

The 2013 final was a landmark moment for CONCACAF club football, showcasing high-stakes competition and regional dominance by Mexican teams. It also highlighted the growing professionalism and fan engagement in the tournament.

Historic three-peat: Monterrey became the first team to win three consecutive CONCACAF Champions League titles, from 2011 to 2013.
Regional representation: The all-Mexican final emphasized Mexico’s control over CONCACAF club football during that era.
Global stage qualification: Monterrey earned the right to represent CONCACAF at the 2013 FIFA Club World Cup in Morocco.
Domestic pride: The final intensified the rivalry between two Liga MX clubs, boosting interest in Mexican domestic football.
Tactical evolution: The comeback demonstrated the importance of halftime adjustments and attacking urgency in knockout football.
Attendance records: The second leg drew over 35,000 fans, reflecting growing support for continental club competitions.

The 2013 final remains a benchmark for dramatic comebacks and sustained excellence in CONCACAF history, setting a precedent for future club campaigns in the region.