The 2023 CONCACAF Central American Cup knockout stage was played from 26 September to 5 December 2023.[1] A total of 8 teams competed in the knockout stage to decide the champions of the 2023 CONCACAF Central American Cup.[2]
The winners and runners-up of each of the four groups in the group stage advanced to the quarter-finals.
| Group | width=200 | Winners | width=200 | Runners-up |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | Saprissa | Cartaginés | ||
| B | Independiente | Real Estelí | ||
| C | Herediano | Comunicaciones | ||
| D | Alajuelense | Motagua |
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.
The knockout stage was played on a single-elimination tournament with the following rules:[2]
The bracket of the final stages was determined as follows:[2]
| Round | Matchups | |
|---|---|---|
| Quarter-finals | (Group winner team host second leg)
| |
| Play-in round | (Higher-ranked team in each tie host second leg)
| |
| Semi-finals | (Higher-ranked team in each tie host second leg)
| |
| Finals | (Higher-ranked team host second leg)
|
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.
The first legs were played on 26–28 September, and the second legs were played on 3–5 October 2023.[3] |}
Alajuelense won 6–1 on aggregate, advanced to the semi-finals (Match SF1) 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 (Match SF1) 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 (Match SF2) 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 (Match SF2) and qualifies for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round One at minimum. Motagua advanced to the play-in.
In the play-in, the team in each tie which have the better performance across all previous rounds (group stage and quarter-finals) host the second leg.
The first legs were played on 24–25 October, and the second legs were played on 31 October – 1 November 2023.[4] |}
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.
In the semi-finals, the team in each tie which have the better performance across all previous rounds (group stage and quarter-finals) host the second leg.
The first legs were played on 25–26 October, and the second legs were played on 1–2 November 2023.[4] |}
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.
In the finals, the team which has the better performances across all previous rounds (group stage, quarter-finals, and semi-finals) host the second leg.
|}
Alajuelense won 4–1 on aggregate and qualified for the 2024 CONCACAF Champions Cup Round of 16.