América 3-3 Santos Laguna summary: score, goals, highlights, Liga MX Apertura 2022
Club América’s winning streak ended against Santos Laguna on Wednesday, but Fernando Ortiz’s men produced a stunning fightback to salvage a point.
Club América’s nine-game winning run came to an end against an excellent Santos Laguna, but Las Águilas will nonetheless go into this weekend’s Clásico Nacional in high spirits after pulling off a dramatic late comeback at the Estadio Azteca. As for Santos, Wednesday’s Liga MX draw in Mexico City is their first point away to América since the Apertura 2019 tournament.
Suárez at the double as América left playing catch-up
During the opening minutes, América goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa twice had to deal with shots from Harold Preciado. Ochoa kept Preciado at bay, but could not prevent Santos from opening the scoring in the eighth minute. Former América winger Leo Suárez advanced into the penalty area, worked his way between two defenders and into shooting space, and sent a left-footed finish right into the corner.
A minute and a half later, the hosts were level. Diego Valdés’ long shot was parried by Santos’ Carlos Acevedo, and Henry Martín latched on to the loose ball to score.
With 17 on the clock, however, Suárez again hit América where it hurts from the right flank. Cutting inside, the 26-year-old let fly with a shot that deflected off defender Néstor Araujo’s back, giving Ochoa no chance of keeping it out. Santos were ahead for a second time, and remained in front when the half-time whistle blew.
Shortly after the break, América replaced left-back Luis Fuentes with Salvador Reyes; however, the substitute was still getting comfortable when Álvaro Fidalgo lost the ball, sparking a Santos counterattack. Juan Francisco Brunetta shot from range - and although Ochoa blocked the effort, the ball fell to Preciado, presenting the Colombian with the opportunity to double the visitors’ lead. He took full advantage.
América storm back to snatch last-gasp point
But América did not let their heads drop. Head coach Fernando Ortiz threw on Brian Rodríguez and Roger Martínez in place of Jonathan Rodríguez and Valdés. And with two minutes to go, they finally succeeding in reducing the arrears. From Miguel Layún’s delivery, first Martínez, then Santos’ Hugo Rodríguez connected with the ball, the defender diverting it past his own keeper. A minute later, Brian Rodríguez had the chance to equalise, but was denied by Acevedo’s one-handed save.
Having gone close to completing the comeback, América then unleashed bedlam inside the Azteca in the 97th minute. Ochoa played the ball forward from the hosts’ half, and in two touches the ball had been worked to Fidalgo in the right-hand channel. He crossed towards the penalty spot, where Federico Viñas rose highest to head home and rescue his side from defeat.
Chivas await América on Saturday
The good news for América is that Martín is still in contention for the golden boot; they have now gone 10 games without defeat; and they are the sole leaders of the Apertura 2022 regular-season table. Next up is a meeting with arch rivals Chivas Guadalajara on Saturday, a clash that will be vital to their aspirations of remaining at the top of the standings. Santos, meanwhile, will host FC Juárez on Sunday. A victory would all but secure their qualification for the playoff quarter-finals.
- 13 Ochoa
- 19 Miguel Layún
- 4 Sebastián Cáceres
- 2 Luis Fuentes (52')
- 14 Néstor Araújo
- 11 Jonathan Rodríguez (65')
- 17 Alejandro Zendejas (80')
- 10 Diego Valdés (65')
- 8 Álvaro Fidalgo Fernández
- 20 Richard Sánchez (80')
- 21 Henry Martin
- Substitutes
- 6 Jonathan
- 27 Óscar Jiménez
- 24 Federico Viñas (80')
- 9 Roger Martínez (65')
- 7 Brian Rodríguez (65')
- 5 Pedro Aquino (80')
- 25 Jürgen Damm
- 26 Salvador Reyes (52')
- 191 Jorge Gómez
- 1 Carlos Acevedo
- 2 O. Campos (78')
- 8 Carlos Orrantia
- 22 Ronaldo Prieto
- 20 Hugo Rodríguez
- 6 Alan Cervantes
- 11 Fernando Gorriaran
- 29 Juan Brunetta (78')
- 9 Leo Suárez x2(69')
- 19 Eduardo Aguirre (57')
- 7 Harold Preciado (69')
- Substitutes
- 27 Javier Correa (57')
- 30 Cecilio Domínguez (78')
- 24 Diego Javier Medina Vazquez (69')
- 25 Lajud
- 18 Jose Lozano (69')
- 17 José Ávila
- 16 Aldo López (78')
- 201 Edgar Games
- 15 Eduardo Pérez
- 28 Franco Pizichillo
Substitutions
S. Reyes (52', Luis Fuentes), Javier Correa (57', Eduardo Aguirre), R. Martinez (65', Diego Valdés), B. Rodríguez (65', J. Rodríguez), Diego Medina (69', Harold Preciado), José Lozano (69', L. Suárez), Aldo López (78', Juan Brunetta), Cecilio Domínguez (78', Omar Campos), Pedro Aquino (80', R. Sánchez), F. Viñas (80', A. Zendejas)
Goals
0-1, 7': Leo Suárez, 1-1, 8': Henry Martin, 1-2, 16': Leo Suárez, 1-3, 63': Harold Preciado, 2-3, 86': Hugo Rodríguez, 3-3, 96': Federico Viñas
Cards
Referee: Fernando Hernández Gómez
VAR Referee: Luis Enrique Santander Aguirre, Jorge Abraham Camacho Peregrina
Harold Preciado (22',Yellow) Hugo Rodríguez (23',Yellow) O. Campos (73',Yellow) Javier Correa (90',Yellow) Fernando Gorriaran (92',Yellow) Cecilio Domínguez (98',Yellow)
