Club América Edges Monterrey 2-1 in Thrilling Liga MX Final First Leg
What a night for Club América and their fans! The first leg of the Liga MX final delivered all the drama, intensity, and skill you’d expect from two of Mexico’s top teams. In a hard-fought battle at Puebla’s Estadio Cuauhtémoc, Club América claimed a 2-1 victory over Monterrey, thanks to a clutch 49th-minute game-winner from U.S. men’s national team winger Alejandro Zendejas.
Let’s break down the action-packed match that has set the stage for an epic second leg on Sunday.
Early Setback for Monterrey
The game got off to a rocky start for Monterrey, as they were forced to make an early substitution just four minutes in. Star winger Lucas Ocampos pulled up with what appeared to be a muscle injury after a run down the left flank. Losing a player of Ocampos’ caliber so early in the match was a tough blow for head coach Martín Demichelis and his squad.
Despite the setback, Monterrey dominated possession in the first half. With experienced players like Héctor Moreno, Víctor Guzmán, and Sergio Canales orchestrating the midfield, Los Rayados looked poised to strike first.
Canales Strikes First
Monterrey’s persistence paid off in the 35th minute when Canales found a rare pocket of space left open by Club América’s defense. The Spanish midfielder unleashed a stunning long-range shot that sailed past the keeper, giving Monterrey a 1-0 lead. It was a moment of brilliance from Canales, who has been a key figure for Monterrey all season.
América Responds Quickly
But Club América wasn’t about to let Monterrey steal the show. Just four minutes later, they leveled the score in dramatic fashion. A counterattack led to chaos in Monterrey’s 18-yard box, where a mishit attempt from Zendejas fell to fullback Kevin Álvarez. Álvarez pounced on the loose ball and calmly slotted it into the back of the net in the 39th minute. The equalizer sent the América faithful into a frenzy and set the tone for an intense second half.
Zendejas Delivers the Game-Winner
Club América came out of the halftime break with renewed energy and purpose. Just four minutes into the second half, midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo made a brilliant run forward and delivered a perfectly timed, line-splitting pass to Zendejas. The U.S. international showed his class with a clever finish to the left of the keeper, putting América ahead 2-1 in the 49th minute.
It was a moment of redemption for Zendejas, who had missed an earlier opportunity but made no mistake this time. His goal proved to be the difference-maker in a match that could have gone either way.
Monterrey Struggles to Regain Momentum
Things went from bad to worse for Monterrey in the second half when Canales, their first-half hero, signaled for a substitution in the 65th minute. His departure left a noticeable void in Monterrey’s midfield, and the team struggled to regain their rhythm. Club América, sensing an opportunity, tightened their grip on possession and controlled the tempo as the clock ticked down.
By the final whistle, Club América had secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory, giving them a crucial advantage heading into Sunday’s second leg in Monterrey.
What’s at Stake in the Second Leg?
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both teams as they prepare for the decisive match. Here’s what’s on the line:
- For Club América: A win on Sunday would make them the first team to win three consecutive championships in the short-season era of Liga MX. It would also extend their league-leading all-time trophy tally to 16, giving them a four-title cushion over archrivals Chivas, who have 12.
- For Monterrey: Los Rayados are chasing their sixth league title and their first under head coach Martín Demichelis. A victory would also mark their second championship since 2019, solidifying their status as one of Liga MX’s elite clubs.
With so much history and pride on the line, Sunday’s clash promises to be a must-watch event for soccer fans everywhere. Can Club América finish the job and cement their legacy, or will Monterrey mount a comeback for the ages? We’ll find out soon enough!
Originally Written by: Eric Gomez
