HIGHLIGHTS + ANALYSIS: Whitecaps cruise to comfortable win vs. Real España in SCCL Leg 1

The Vancouver Whitecaps cruised to an easy 5-0 victory over Honduran outfit Real España in the first leg of the 2023 Concacaf Champions League Round of 16, with the crowd at BC Place being treated to five excellently-worked team goals spread across five different goal-scorers.

Vanni Sartini's side looked to be on the backfoot in the opening stanza of the match, with new goalkeeper Yohei Takaoka making two key saves to keep the score level.

But, by the 20-minute mark, the Whitecaps took control of the battle, with Tristan Blackmon's powerful header completing a well-rehearsed corner routine to open the scoring. Vancouver took that 1-0 lead into half-time, before finding four in the second.

It started with an absolute baller's run by Ryan Raposo, who cut in on a direct dribble from wide-left, before unleashing a ferocious effort past the 'keeper to make it 2-0 just before the hour mark. Then, a pair of quality through passes by Ryan Gauld forced an own goal, then a Pedro Vite fourth. Finally, Brian White rounded out the scoring with a well-placed effort, giving the supporters plenty to celebrate on the south side.

The Whitecaps will take that 5-0 lead into San Pedro Sula next week for Leg 2 vs. Real España, but will be confident that a spot in the quarter-finals has been all but assured out of Leg 1. That game will be available right here on OneSoccer.

Here are your full match highlights: