Catalan central defender Andrea Pereira, formerly of FC Barcelona, ??scored this morning the goal that qualifies América for the final of the Mexican league. The team led by the Spanish Ángel Villacampa will face in the final the winner of the second semi-final played today between Tigres and Monterrey (0-0 in the first leg).
In the first leg of the series, América and Chivas tied two goals, so the pass to the final was decided this morning at the Azteca Stadium. There was no movement on the scoreboard in the first 45 minutes, but the game seemed to begin to shift towards Villacampa’s team when Chivas was left with one less due to the expulsion of Christian Jaramillo in the 62nd minute.
Despite everything, it was the Guadalajara team that took the lead a few minutes later with a goal from Casandra Montero that gave Chivas the classification with the first leg 2-2. Villacampa’s team continued pushing and ended up getting their prize. Kiana Palacios tied things up in the 75th minute, but Andrea Pereira appeared to complete the comeback with a 2-1 scoreline that qualified América for the final of the Apertura tournament. The former Barça player was named MVP of the semifinal for this momentous goal.
Now they await their rival in the duel between Spanish coach Mila Martínez’s Tigres and Monterrey. The Spanish team is the current champion after beating América in last year’s final.
The second semi-final will be decided this Monday, after the goalless draw in the first leg. Another match surrounded by expectations due to the even quality of the two teams. Tigres scored 10 more goals and received two less in the regular phase, however; Monterrey reached the semifinal with eight consecutive victories, although it weighed little in its stadium in the first leg.
Tigres has the most titles in its cabinets, having won five championships, while América, Monterrey and Guadalajara have two trophies each.
