MIAMI, Florida – Club America took control of their 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Round of 16 series with Liga MX rivals Chivas with a 3-0 first leg victory on Wednesday night at the Estadio Akron in Guadalajara, Mexico.
With three away goals to their name and a three-goal lead on aggregate, the seven-time Concacaf champions are on the verge of reaching the quarterfinal stage.
After testing the Chivas defense with a few early looks, Club America earned a penalty when Julian Quinones was fouled from behind while trying to score after his initial header had been blocked by Chivas GK Oscar Whalley.
Quinones stepped up and scored from the spot for a 1-0 Club America lead in the 15’.
Chivas looked to answer and almost pulled even in first half stoppage time when Antonio Briseno smacked a header goalward, but Club America GK Luis Malagon was there to make the save.
Already with a crucial away goal and the lead, things further titled in Club America’s favor on the hour mark when Eduardo Torres of Chivas was sent off for his second yellow card of the night, leaving the Guadalajara-based club with 10 men for the final half-hour.
Club America promptly made the most of their man advantage and doubled their lead to 2-0 in the 70’ by finishing a picture-perfect counterattack with a Diego Valdes right-footed strike into net.
The home side tried to find a late goal to cut into the deficit, but instead Club America tacked on a third score in second half stoppage time when Santiago Naveda’s hard hit from distance smacked off the post, allowing Henry Martin to get low and head the ball over the line for a 3-0 final.
