The Eagles of America champions of the 2023 Apertura Tournament of the Mexican League after defeating with a score of 3-0 in the second leg against the UANL Tigres at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City. With this victory and final of Mexican soccer, the azulcremas won their 14th title in their history.
The beginning of the meeting was very difficult between the Eagles of America and the Tigers from the UANLbecause both teams wanted to take possession of the ball and in the attempt they committed many infractions on the field.
The Tigres were the ones who had the first arrival clear on goal after a long-range shot by the French striker André-Pierre Gignacwhich ended in the hands of the azulcrema goalkeeper, Luis Malagon.
The Eaglesdirected by the Brazilian André Jardinethey quickly went on the attack and after a play that began Julian Quiñones on the right wing, ended in a deflected shot from the Aztec striker Henry Martin.
Another clear chance of the match came after an elaborate play by the cats on the left wing, which ended in a cross that impacted Gignac in the air, but was saved by the goalkeeper Malagon.
The return match of Opening 2023 He fell into a back-and-forth after that play led by the French striker. This caused the match to become one of the most exciting of this final phase.
Those from the nest continued to create dangerous plays and after a cross from their left back, Diego Valdés took a right hand that was saved. Nahuel Guzman in a great way.
After that, Julian Quiñones He had the opportunity to open the scoring before the end of the first half, but he could not direct the header.
Close second half
The second half of the match began as the first half was very tight in the middle of the field due to both teams wanting to take control of the ball.
The Eagles of America little by little they took over possession of the ball and tried to get Diego Valdés to create clear chances, but the defense of UANL Tigers He didn’t allow it.
Both teams made changes and the azulcrema team coach decided to replace Miguel Layún in the 75th minute, who was applauded for playing his last game as a professional player.
At minute 80 of action, Quinones and Jesus Fulgencio They played with the ball on the right side of the American field that ended in a slap in the face of the Colombian-Mexican forward.
The slap led to the expulsion of the university player, Raymundo de Jesús Fulgencio. He VAR He called the main referee of the match to review the play and after 82 minutes of action they rectified the red card.
The feline goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman He dressed as a hero again after making a spectacular play 90 minutes into the game.
Those from the nest became the owners of the ball procession after the expulsion, but they did not have the clarity to make a play.
Extra time full of emotions
With the start of the first half of extra time the Eagles They went out in search of the goal that would give them the title, taking advantage of the man they had the most on the field.
In the 91st minute of action, after a cross from the left wing that the Tigres defense could not clear, the ball reached Julián Quiñones who did not forgive in two halves and put his team ahead on the scoreboard.
The team of Tigers He turned to the attack in search of that, they were leaving many spaces in the defense and in a counterattack. Quinones stood hand in hand with Nahuel Guzmanwhich stopped the forward of the Mexico national team with a foul that caused his expulsion from the match.
After that expulsion, the university team was left with nine players on the field and with that the America he finished taking possession of the ball.
The azulcremas did not waste that superiority after a great collective play Richard Sanchez At 104 minutes of action he hit a half volley right hand to put the score two goals to zero.
The match fell into a slump and the two teams did not hurt each other until the Uruguayan Jonathan Rodríguez hit a strong right hand after 120 minutes of action to put the third goal on the scoreboard and thus finish sealing the 14th title.
Keep reading:
- André-Pierre Gignac assures that he wants to ruin Layún’s retirement by winning the two-time championship
- Colombia coach reveals that Julián Quiñones threatened to play for the coffee team
- Águilas del América obtain a one-goal draw in their visit to Tigres in the first leg of the Mexican soccer grand final