Club America fail to rally, Santos advance to Liga MX Final

Jesus Isijara’s equalizer helped Club Santos to a 2-2 draw against Club América as the Guerreros advanced to the Liga MX final with a 6-3 aggregate victory.

With Santos having wrapped up a 4-1 win in the first leg, las Águilas came into this match needing to win by 3 to have any chance of going through.

As such, Club América were on the front foot from the off and were gifted a lifeline on 10 minutes when a penalty was called for an apparent push inside the box. Cecilio Dominguez smashed the ball into the back of the net from the spot to put Miguel Herrera’s side within two.

In the 23rd minute, América had their second. Bruno Valdez rose above his marker from a corner to head home and send the Estadio Azteca into a frenzy.

But Santos struck before halftime through Jonathan Rodriguez, who slotted past Agustin Marchesin following his own rebound.

The match then grew testy for the hosts as the second half got under way, with several Club América players getting a yellow card.

With América chasing a goal that would give them life in the tie, Santos once and for all put an end to las Águilas’ chances. In the 85th minute, Jesus Isijara unleashed a right-footed strike in the bottom corner of the net to send Herrera’s men packing from another Semifinal defeat.

With the win, Santos will take on Toluca for the 2018 Liga MX Clausura title. Dates and times are TBD.