Mexican teams’ famous comebacks in international tournaments
Pumas, América and Atlas are among the Mexican clubs to have turned around adverse ties to advance in international competitions.
The outlook didn’t look too promising for Atlas, after losing the first leg of their CONCACAF Champions League Last 16 tie last week. The Mexican side crashed to a 4-1 defeat to Olimpia in San Pedro Sula, leaving them with it all to do in the return leg. However, Benjamín Mora’s team managed to turn the tie around when the two teams returned for the second leg at Jalisco stadium, winning 4-0 in front of their own fans to make it 5-4 on aggregate and book their place in the quarter finals.
It was the latest turnaround for a Mexican club in international competition - several Mexican teams have staged comebacks when the chips are down, to demonstrate the power of the Liga MX against opponents from South America, Central and North America.
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América’s Maracanazo
In April 2008, América met Flamengo in the first leg of the Copa Libertadores Last 16. The Águilas were beaten 2-4 at the Azteca, a result which left them with it all to do in the return, in Brazil, the following week. Against all the odds, the Mexicans ran out 0-3 winners at the Maracanã, with goals from Chava Cabañas and Enrique Esqueda scoring the vital away goals to take them through.
Repeat display in CONCACAF
Seven years after the famous Maracanazo, América did it again - this time in the CONCACAF Champions League semi-finals. They were up against Costa Rican side Herediano and lost the first leg 3-0 at Eladio Rosabal Stadium. Needing to win by three goals or more, there was no contest at the Azteca, where they thrashed the visitors 6-0 to secure a place in the final against Montreal Impact.
Pumas humiliate Marathón in the Concahampions
Pumas are renown for being a gritty side when the going gets tough and proved it in the 2010 Concachampions. The University team had lost their first leg 2-0 to Marathón in Honduras but turned it around in the return, winning 6-1 on home to set up a semi-final meeting with Cruz Azul.
Deportivo Táchira made to suffer
In the 2016 Copa Libertadores, Pumas faced Deportivo Táchira in the second round. The Venezuelans won the first leg 2-0, setting up a fascinating clash in the return at the Ciudad Universitaria. Pumas pulled off a memorable comeback, winning the second game 4-1 but both teams ended passing to the next round of the continental tournament from their group.
Pachuca eliminate the Houston Dynamo
Pachuca fans will remember the 2007 CONCACAF Champions League semi-final against MLS champions the Houston Dynamo. The Mexicans fell 2-0 in the first leg in Houston, leaving them no option but to retaliate in Hidalgo, where they drew on vociferous home support to beat their rivals 5-2 after extra-time. An 5-4 aggregate was enough to put them through to the final, where they beat Chivas on penalties.