Chivas 0-1 Club América: score, goals, highlights, 2023 Clausura semi-final

Advantage America

FT: Chivas Guadalajara 0-1 Club America

How much will Vejko Paunovic rue his side missing a series of fine chances in the first half when his Chivas team could have gone in two or three goals to the good at the break if it wasn't for the goal keeping heroics of Luis Malagon in the Club America goal.

With the win, coming from a fine Alejandro Zendejas strike on the hour mark from a fine Diego Valdes pass, the Aguilas are just a step away from a place in the Liga MX 2023 Clausura final with Chivas now having to win at the Azteca by two clear goals, given that a draw on aggregate would be good enough for the azulcremas.

Chivas coach Paunovic will look to his side to deliver more of the first half performance with the second 45 at the Estadio Akron seeing a drop in pace and intensity from both sides after a high tempo first half.

With the other semifinal taking place on Saturday night between Rayados and Tigres, both head coaches (Ortiz and Paunovic) will know what side stands between them and Liga MX glory.

Malagon fists away and that is it....

The whistle sounds and America are one step closer to the final.

Zendejas the hero for the Aguilas with his left footed second half strike.

Corner and last chance saloon for Chivas.

Difficult to see Chivas get anything from this tie and now face an uphill task on Sunday as they head to the Azteca needing a win. A draw overall would see America advance due to their higher place ranking in the regular season.

We'll have five minutes of time to be added on

Rodriguez and Valdes swapped.
Roger Martinez and Reyes 

Sanchez carded as he pulls Valdes shirt with the Chilean about to sprint free.

Chicote is unable to latch onto a fine ball and that was a wonderful chance for Chivas to draw level.

Time running out now for the home side as Pavel Perez does well and America are forced to give away a corner.

Chivas' final ball in the second half has been their underdoing in the second half.

Just one effort on target for the home side in this second 45'.

Chivas sub

Sanchez on with Mozo making way

Less than ten left and Chivas are lacking that creative spark.

Zendejas almost finds his second of the night as he looks to lob the keeper.

Changes for America

Dos Santos on for Aquino

Vinas on for Martin

Gonzalez on for Chivas

Torres makes way for el 'Oso'

What a shot from Sanchez as he forces Jimenez to save well for an America corner as Reyes hits the bar now and America are on top.

America go close again as Valdes and Rodriguez work well but just as the Chilean was about to shoot, he trips up and Chivas rob and look to counter.

To be honest Chivas have created little or nothing in front of goal in this half.

How much will they rue those three key misses/saves from the America in the first 45 minutes?

Twenty minutes remain in Guadalajara and America still hold the lead via the Zendejas goal.

Valdes goes close for the visitors from a corner kick.

Fernando Ortiz would happily sign up for this scoreline as Chivas look to respond.

Chivas looking for a way back now as Chicote strikes the ball straight at Malagon.

Sanchez picks up an injury after getting stamped on by Chicote.

Chicote', C. Cisneros and Pável on for Chivas

'Piojo', 'Cone' and Chiquete make way

Beltran carded for a late challenge.

Sub Zendejas silences the Estadio Akron as the US international drags the ball back and drives home from close range.

An hour of the game gone and the second half has yet to match the first with neither team able to muster a chance on goal.

Card for Reyes as he slides into Vega.

We've seen little of Miguel Layun in this game so far. A discreet showing so far from the Mexico international.

Torres has a go from long range but blazes the ball high and into the stands.

Orozco is the first name in the book tonight after he clips a America man.

A more low key start to the second 45 minutes so far.

The return dates for the Liga MX 2023 Clausura semifinals:

Rayados-Tigres (Saturday 21)

America-Chivas (Sunday 22)

First corner of the second half goes the way of Chivas.

Zendejas getting a mild booing from the Chivas fans.

The America player will represent the USMNT in the forthcoming Concacaf Nations League semi-final next month in Las Vegas.

America start the second half.

The teams return to the pitch as Leo Suarez is replaced by Zendejas at the break.

Fist change for America and first substitution of the game.

Malagon hero of the night so far for America

The 26-year-old has saved his side on three occasions tonight denying Chivas from taking a lead in El Clasico.

All square at the interval

A bright game at the Estadio Akron and both teams will be relatively happy with how things are progressing.

America have dominated the action but Chivas have carved out three or four good goals scoring opportunities with Luis Malagon the hero for America pulling off a series of fine saves to keep the Aguilas in the contest.

All to play for in the second 45'. 

Two half chances fall the way of Chivas as Vega goes close and the tide once again shifts the way of the home side.

Guzman now fires inches wide with a half volley. 

5 minutes to be added as Alvarado has a go from the Chivas right as he clips a sweet left footed shot that just fails to secure enough whip and the ball drifts wide. 

Henry Martin does well and it needs two Chivas players to rob the ball off the America forward as 'Ame' win a corner.

Into the last minute of the half and I'd anticipate 3/4 minutes of added time.

Into the final five of the half.

Decent game unfolding in Guadalajara with all the ingredients you could hope for in a Clasico... intensity, drama and plenty of tension.

America win a corner as Chivas players square up to Martin as they feel the America striker took a dive in a bid to con the referee.

The noise level at the Estadio Akron cranks up now after the disallowed America goal.

A bright game here in Guadalajara with both sides enjoying spells of dominance.

America on top but Chivas carving out the best chances.

A major wake up call for Chivas who have been poor in defensive duties tonight.

VAR officials now being consulted and indeed, the America was slightly offside.

Correct call from the refereeing team. 

The ball is in the Chivas net but the flag is up and it looks like Rodriguez was inches offside.

Chivas almost sneak in again and Malagon saves well as Pocho Guzman tries to poke the ball home after breaking the offside trap.

Once again, Malagon saves America as Chivas work the ball well as Guzman almost heads the home side ahead.

Three excellent chances now for Paunovic's side and on each occasion, the America stopper was on hand to deny the men in red and white.

America now very much the side on top with the intensity level being shown earlier by Chivas dropping slightly.

Shots on target:

Chivas 2-2 America

Shots off target:

Chivas 0-4 America

Twenty gone at the Estadio Akron and America on top in terms of possession but the best chances have fallen Chivas way.

Another defensive mistake this time sees America create a decent chance as the ball falls to Suarez who blazes over the bar.

Beltran continues to be the danger man for Chivas as once again Malagon is the hero for America as he saves well from Vega. 

Both teams now creating decent chances with the best falling Chivas way.

Good spell for 'Ame' now as the azulcremas press Chivas back.

What a ball from Suarez as he plays through a defence cutting pass that finds Martin. The striker dinks the ball but Gimenez is alert and saves well.

Malagon seems to be okay to continue.

A very even start to the game.

Both sides enjoying spells of domination.

The America keeper seems to be in trouble after falling awkwardly.

Fernando Ortiz gets his sub keeper to warm up as a precautionary measure.

Chivas almost open the scoring as America give the ball away.

Vega is one on one with the keeper but Malagon does well and pushes the ball back into open play and the ball then ricochets off Layun for a Chivas corner.

The Chilean Valdes is back on the field and strikes but sees his effort deflected for the first corner of the game.

Frantic start to the opening minutes with America pressing as Chivas counter. 

Chivas win a dangerous free as Rodriguez clips a Chivas player and America break from the next passage of play.

Jimenez is called into action as Valdes almost breaks free. 

Chivas will once again look to Fernando Beltran with 'El Niño' one of the standout players in Sunday's 1-0 win over Atlas.

Off we go at the Estadio Akron....

Chivas start the action... the first 90 minutes of the 180 are up and running.

Guzman and Martin greet ahead of the pre game protocol photo. 

Metallica's 'Enter Sandman' plays on the stadium PA as the Chivas XI is read out !

The teams are on the pitch.

A huge tifo is raised by the Chivas hardcore fans bearing the motto '90 minutes of union' as the stadium is riot of red and white. 

A fair few America fans mixed in with the home fans as fireworks light up the sky.

America team being read out and greeted with jeers!

The players are in the tunnel as both sets of players greet one another with smiles and hugs and even compare new tattoos... 

How will Club America respond with no Fidalgo after the Spaniard felt some discomfort in yesterday's training session with the No. 8 on the bench tonight.

Many citing his absence as a factor that tilt the first leg in the way of the home side.

Remember, this is the first leg of a two legged affair. 

The winner will be decided on Sunday night at the Estadio Azteca with America holding the advantage should things end in a draw, they would advance to the final by virtue of having finished the regular season above Chivas.

Kick-off looming

As kick-off looms, both teams go through their final warm-up routines as fans continue to make their way into the stadium.

Less than 30 minutes to go at the Akron Stadium.

Chivas have not managed a win against America in their past couple of meetings at home, losing 2-4 this season and drawing 0-0 in March 2022. 

First leg of Clausura 2023 clash sold out

Tonight's first leg at Estadio Akron is also a sell-out. On Wednesday, Guadalajara confirmed that their home stadium will be at full capacity when Chivas and América begin their battle for a place in the Clausura 2023 final, with either Tigres or Monterrey awaiting in next week's trophy decider.

America in yellow

The visitors too will wear their traditional colours tonight at the Estadio Akron with the Aguilas set to sport their yellow/cream shirt and shorts.

Chivas XI

Official confirmation of the Chivas XI via the club's official Twitter account.

Akron Stadium pitch

The Akron Stadium pitch has had little time to recover from Sunday night with the surface also used a few weeks back to host the Canelo Alvarez boxing match and there are areas around both penalty boxes that look a little shabby.

America XI

America coach selects these players as his starting line-up for the Clasico Nacional.

Another 4-2-3-1 formation with Henry Martin set to be used as the sold striker.

(info via Liga MX BBVA)

Chivas XI

According to the official Liga MX site, this is the side set to be used by Chivas coach Paunovic for tonight's first leg with the Serbian employing a 4-2-3-1 formation with Alvarado acting as the line front man.

The Chivas dressing room is ready

The 'Sacred Flock' will be in their iconic red and white striped shirts tonight as they face their bitter rivals from the capital city. 

There will be plenty of 'Aguilas' fans present among the capacity 46,000 crowd at the Estadio Akron tonight though.

A reminder of how both teams finished in the 2023 Clausura regular season with America losing just one of their 17 games (at home to Puebla) and Chivas falling three times during the season.

Monterrey are still tipped by many as firm favourites to lift the title after they played out a 1-1 draw away at El Volcan (home to Tigres).

LIGA MX

Are tickets still on sale for América vs Chivas semi-final second leg?

Club América have confirmed that every seat has been snapped up for the return leg of Las Águilas’ Clausura 2023 last-four clash with their arch rivals.

Possible Chivas XI

Everything points to Chivas possibly fielding the same side as to that from Sunday's 1-0 win over Atlas with Miguel Jiménez in goal; Alan Mozo, Gilberto Sepúlveda, Antonio Briseño and Jesús Gilberto Orozco Chiquete in defence; Rubén González, Fernando Beltrán and Roberto Alvarado in midfield; up front, Alexis Vega and Isaac Brizuela on the wings, while Víctor Guzmán set to play as a false 9.

Tonight's match official

César Arturo Ramos Palazuelos is in charge of the game in Guadalajara tonight.

The Sinaloa is one of Mexico's current high profile referees and was in charge of four games at the recent Qatar World Cup.

The 39-year-old has overseen 14 games of the Liga MX Clausura 2023.

Chivas are ready

With 40 million Chivas fans ready to support Veljko Paunovic's side across Mexico, Chivas are ready for the first instalment of the Clasico Nacional with the tie set to be resolved in Mexico City on Sunday. 

Road to the semi-final

Both teams secured a top four finish so qualified directly for the quarter-final.

America faced Atletico San Luis and cruised to a comfortable 1-3 away first leg win but were made to sweat in a second leg that they lost 1-2 at the Azteca.

Chivas also lost one of their quarter-final games against local rivals Atlas falling 1-0 in the first leg at the Estadio Jalisco. A second half header from Sepulveda at a packed Akron Stadium last Sunday was enough however to see Paunovic's men advance by virtue of their higher ranking in the regular season table with the tie ending 1-1 on aggregate. 

Two months to the day (19 March), both sides faced one another in the regular season and the side from Mexico City secured all three points running out 2-4 winners after taking a 0-4 lead during the game.

America have the upper hand when it comes to meetings between both sides in the short season competitions.

The 'Aguilas' have claimed 27 wins over the 22 for the Guadalajara side with 18 games ending level. America have bagged 71 goals in these meetings against the 69 for the 'Sacred Flock'

Tonight's first leg takes place at a sold out Akron Stadium with the return leg set to take place at the Azteca on Sunday.

Both teams are vying for a place in the Clausura 2023 final where the winners of the other semi-final between Tigres-Rayados await. 

Hello and a warm welcome to our live coverage of the Clausura 2023 semi-final (first leg) as Chivas face Club America in another Cláscio Nacional meeting.