Action from the 2012/13 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League final, second leg between host Monterrey (left) and Santos. (Photo: Mexsport)
MIAMI – Countless memories have been made as a result of the 16 matches contested in eight all-time Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League finals.
From Atlante capturing the inaugural crown in 2008/09 to Monterrey’s run of three straight titles from 2010/11 to 2012/13, a SCCL history of substance was shaped.
With the 2016/17 deciding series between Tigres and Pachuca set to open Tuesday in San Nicolas de los Garza, Mexico, CONCACAF.com presents – in no particular order -- three of the best-ever final encounters.
2012/13 -- SECOND LEG
May 1, 2013: Estadio Tecnologico -- Monterrey, Mexico (Att: 33,667)
Monterrey-Santos 4-2 (0-1)
Aldo De Nigris 60’, 86’; Neri Cardozo 83’; Humberto Suazo 90'+2 / Carlos Darwin Quintero 38’; Felipe Baloy 51’
Monterrey wins 2012/13 CONCACAF Champions League (agg: 4-2)
Monterrey became the second team to secure three straight CONCACAF club titles, rallying from a two-goal deficit in the second leg of the 2012/13 final to post a 4-2 win over Santos (Mexico) and taking the series by the same score. From the 60th minute onwards, the Rayados struck for four goals, with Aldo de Nigris (60’, 87’) netting twice, while Neri Cardozo (84’) and Humberto Suazo (90’+2) added one each.
2009/10 -- SECOND LEG
April 28, 2010: Estadio Hidalgo – Pachuca, Mexico (Att: 26,500)
Pachuca-Cruz Azul 1-0 (0-0)
Edgar Benitez 90’+2
Pachuca wins 2009/10 CONCACAF Champions League on away goals rule (agg: 2-2)
After winning the series opener, 2-1, Cruz Azul needed only a draw in the second leg against host Pachuca to capture its first-ever SCCL crown and sixth CONCACAF club title overall. La Maquina was seconds away from making history at the Estadio Hidalgo, when Edgar Benitez doused that dream by scoring the only goal in the second minute of second-half stoppage for arguably the most dramatic conclusion to a SCCL final. It was the Tuzos’ fourth CONCACAF club honor, adding to a trio of Champions’ Cups earned from 2002-08.
2014/15 -- SECOND LEG
April 29, 2015: Stade Olympique – Montreal, Canada (Att: 61,004)
Impact de Montreal-Club America 2-4 (1-0)
Andres Romero 8’; Jack McInerney 89’ / Dario Benedetto 50', 67’, 81’; Oribe Peralta 65'
Club America wins 2014/15 CONCACAF Champions League (agg: 5-3)
When Andres Romero scored in the eighth minute to give the host Impact de Montreal a 2-1 aggregate lead over Club America, fans at the Stade Olympique were buzzing with the thought that Mexican clubs’ stranglehold on the SCCL was about to end. The Aguilas – led by a historic display from forward Dario Benedetto -- had other ideas. After the break, Benedetto became the only player to score three goals in a SCCL final game and Oribe Peralta netted once as Club America rallied to win 4-2 and lifted the trophy 5-3 on aggregate.
