Garcia blunder hands Necaxa Copa MX title

Santiago Garcia’s unfortunate own goal condemned Toluca to defeat as Necaxa were crowned the 2018 Clausura Copa MX champions.

The Rayos enjoyed the greater opportunities at the Estadio Victoria, but their winner came in the most unexpected way possible. When it looked like the match was heading to penalties, Santiago Garcia misplaced a clearance, instead sending the ball past his own goalkeeper to give Necaxa the lead.

Ignacio Ambriz’s men did run into some trouble near the end of the game when Fernando Gonzalez was sent off, but their good work wouldn’t be undone, as the final whistle brought a chorus of cheers from the Necaxa faithful.

The defeat broke a streak of 11 straight games without a defeat for the Diablos Rojos. At the same time, Necaxa earned their first trophy since moving the franchise to Aguascalientes, previously coming close in the 2016 Clausura Copa MX Final. This was also Necaxa’s fourth Copa MX title in the modern era.