The eagles of america Argentine coach Fernando Ortiz beat this Thursday 0-1 against Guadalajara and they set foot in the final of the Clausura 2023 Mexican soccer tournament. The Chivas of the Serbian-Spanish coach Veljko Paunovic were better, but they lacked accuracy and were outclassed with a goal from Alejandro Zendejas that put the Eagles in a comfortable condition because if they win the second leg, tie or lose by one goal they will be in the end.
The first half was even with four shots on goal on each side and the goalkeepers, Luis Malagón from América, and Miguel Jiménez, from Chivas, played a leading role. In the 7th minute, Alexis Vega was left with everything in his favor in front of goalkeeper Malagón, who kept the ball at Guadalajara’s first arrival.
Jiménez kept the duel goalless by stopping Henry Martín, leader of the championship scorers, who was in an advantageous position after receiving a ball from Argentine Leo Suárez. Malagón saved the Azulcremas again, in the 16th and 30th, in a couple of arrivals in Víctor Guzmán’s area.
The second half began with little rhythm until in the 60th minute Zendejas accepted an assist from Chilean Diego Valdés, shook off the defense with a dribble and left-footed put the ball into the net for 0-1. América insisted on attacking and in minute 75 created danger again with a long-distance shot from Paraguayan Richard Sánchez, whose shot was saved by Jiménez.
Chivas has everything against
Chivas closed better, but he repeated his lack of aim and now he has everything against him because to access the final he is forced to win by two goals on Sunday at his rival’s stadium; If they win by one and tie the series, they will be eliminated because América played the regular phase better.
Las Águilas will host Guadalajara this Sunday at the Azteca stadium, in the second leg of the semifinal. The winner of the series will face the best between Monterrey and Tigres UANL, who will play on Saturday after drawing 1-1 on Wednesday. At the Tigres stadium, the Rayados took the lead with a goal from Argentine Maximiliano Meza, but Sebastián Córdova rescued the equalizer for the cats.
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