Bruno Valdez header gives Club América a point at Santos Laguna

Club América picked up a point with a 1-1 draw at Santos Laguna on Sunday, in the penultimate week of the regular season in the 2018 Liga MX Apertura.

The visitors threw on some early chances in the first half and came close to taking the lead early when Guido Rodriguez forced a save from Jonathan Orozco following a long-range effort.

Santos reacted quickly, and after Ayrton Preciado saw his initial effort saved, Julio Furch missed an incredible opportunity to put his team ahead. With an empty net in front, Furch failed to direct his header appropriately, and his chance went begging wide.

In the 26th minute, Santos came close again when an Osvaldo Martinez shot produced a brilliant save from Agustin Marchesin.

After both teams went into the break scoreless, Furch finally broke the deadlock four minutes into the restart. This time Furch would make no mistake from a corner to head in his 12th goal of the season.

América tried to dampen Santos Laguna’s joy almost immediately, and debutant Antonio Lopez and Guido Rodriguez both came within inches of leveling the score.

After both teams exchanged scoring chances moments later, América finally notched the equalizer. On a corner, Bruno Valdez rose above his defender to to put the score at 1-1.

Santos might have got a late lifeline when in the 80th minute the referee missed what appeared to be a handball inside the box, but the match officials failed to look the call over on VAR.

With the game winding down, Jose Abella was sent off for a second yellow, but at the end América failed to capitalize as both teams settled for a 1-1 draw.