Club América 1-3 Chivas: summary, score, goals, highlights, Liga MX Clausura 2023 semi-final

Chivas record historic Azteca win

The Guadalajara side will be fancied to secure their 13th Liga MX win as they face Tigres.

Paunovic really has found the key to get the best from his side.

Tigres-Chivas: Liga MX 2023 Clausura final

So, the 7th placed side (Tigres) will face third placed side Chivas with the first leg set for Thursday and the return leg to be held at the Estadio Akron on Sunday night.

What a game that honours the word 'Clasico' for El Clásico Nacional.

Chivas deliver a shock and credit to Veljko Paunovic who was the more astute coach of the two with his changes.

Questions will be asked about the tactical moves of Fernando Ortiz as the America coach opted to go defensive and this backfired and was accentuated by Fidalgo's red card.

That's it and Chivas have delivered one of the biggest shocks in Mexican football in recent times as they win by the two goal margin.

Into the final minutes we go and as things stand, the top two teams of the regular phase (Monterrey and America) are out !

The face of anguish being displayed by America coach Fernando Ortiz.

What price will the coach pay for this defeat that will take some time for the 'azul crema' fans to digest.

What a contest this has been .... a game that has had everything... goals, red cards, VAR intervention and an incredible turnaround from Chivas as the deliver an incredible result at the Azteca.

Aquino heads wide for America but one senses that the home side have run dry in terms of creativity and belief. 

All the noise is now being made by the few thousand Chivas fans at the Azteca.

This has been an incredible comeback and many now questioning Fernando Ortiz's defensive substitutes. 

We'll have 9 minutes of added time.

Malagon saves well from a Rios header. The sub had the goal at his mercy but nods straight at the America keeper.

Martin off for America as Martinez is his replacement.

Three changes for Chivas

A nervous tension hangs over the Azteca as the America fans know that one more goal for Chivas would see the Guadalajara side advance to the final to face Tigres.

Chivas almost bag a third as Mozo finds Brizuela.

10 man America suffering as the visitors press. 

America sit deep as Chivas dominate the ball.

A huge ten minutes plus stoppage time coming up.

Zendejas and Valdes off for America 

Reyes and Lara the replacements

America 1-2 Chivas

What a strike from Mozo as America switch off and Vega feeds the defender.

Into the final 15' we go and Chivas win a free ....

Goooooooooool.

What a game ....

Mozo fires Chivas back into the contest.

Less than 20 remain and Chivas still need two goals to advance.

Malagon carded for protesting

Mr Caceres returns and indeed, rules out goal for a foul from Guzman.

The referee is called to look at the action again and it appears that this Chivas goal will be chalked off.

Cisneros heads home but it appears that VAR may revise the action leading to the goal.

Gooooooooooool

Chivas pull one back and still need one more.

So, just after conceding the equaliser, Chivas are given the added advantage of facing ten men but finding two goals may be a bridge too far for the 'Sacred Flock'.

Aquino Sanchez and Dos Santos on for America.

Richard Sanchez and Rodriguez making way.

Fidalgo is off.

America now set to face Chivas with ten men for the last 25 minutes or so.

VAR set to be consulted with the Fidalgo challenge possibly a red card.

Fidalgo carded as he trips Beltran.

Chivas look to bounce back as Malagon is called upon to save well.

That goal should really open the game up now with Chivas having to attack and that will lead to more space for America to counter.

America 1-1 Chivas

Delicate flick from the back of the Chilean's head from a Fidalgo cross.

Chivas now need two goals and Paunovic will have to throw everything in attack. 

America well on top in terms of possession as Chivas now sit deep and soak up pressure.

Cisneros is subbed for Brizuela.

Second switch for Chivas.

America move the ball around with 11 Chivas players behind the ball. In the end Sanchez fires a shot on goal but easy for Jimenez grabs at the second time of asking.

Cisneros is in trouble as he falls badly and the Chivas man needs to be subbed.

We've seen little of Beltran on the ball for Chivas tonight. The 26 year-old was the standout player in the win over Atlas and impressed last Thursday night in the first leg of the semif-final. 

First chance of the second half falls to Fidalgo and the Spanish player drives over the bar.

El 'Oso' Gonzalez was on a yellow card hence the switch from Paunovic.

There is a change for Chivas:

Gonzalez off with Mozo on

No changes it appears at the interval.

The sides take to the field at the Estadio Azteca.

Just 45 minutes separating the teams with a place in the 2023 Clausura final.

As we saw in the first leg, the goalkeepers for both teams are probably the quietest players on the pitch with just one shot on target being recorded in the first 45 minutes.

Chivas have been slightly the better side with little tonight from Rodriguez, Valdes or Martin for the home side.

The next goal will be instrumental in deciding who makes it through to the final to face Tigres UANL.

The whistle sounds at the Azteca and Chivas are ahead 0-1.

A fascinating 45' coming up. Chivas need another goal and the current scoreline would be good enough for America to advance.

We'll have 4 minutes of added time.

Into the final minute of the half and Paunovic will be the happier of the coaches as his side are on the road to recording the two goal win they need to advance to the final.

Vega shoots but gets under the ball and fires over.

Drifting towards the break and Chivas have done 50% of the hard work as they hold a 0-1 lead.

Another card for America as Zendejas is warned for complaining.

Reyes carded as he trips Vega. First Aguilas player in the book tonight.

Dangerous free for the visitors.

Martin almost makes it 1-1 but Briseño is alert and heads wide for a corner for the home side.

Chivas have taken a step back now as America start to dominate possession again.

The Chivas keeper seems okay to carry on but seems to be concerned with the back of his left leg.

Half an hour gone and since the goal, Chivas are now on top.

Concern for the visitors as Jimenez seems to have developed a hamstring problem and is getting looked at by the Chivas medical team.

The ball falls to Layun who opts for the long range shot. The Mexico international drills the ball with plenty of pace but lacks the accuracy.

Sepulveda now carded... 3 Chivas men in the book already with no cautions for America.

Chivas go close as the ball is swept in from the right flank but there is no-one in a red and white shirt to sweep the ball into the net.

Chivas are now just one goal away from a possible berth in the final. 

A 0-2, 1-3 etc win would see the Guadalajara side progress to the final.

America 0-1 Chivas

Gonzalez pulls Valdes' shirt and is carded.

Cisneros gets the final touch but the goal starts with the Chivas No. 25 who runs from his own defence and beats a series of America players. He then finds Cisneros but the final touch seemed to be from Caceres who slips on the wet surface.

Gooooooooooooooool

Chivas strike and what a run from Alvarado.

Past the quarter of an hour mark and yet nothing of any considerable danger from either side. Neither Malagon or Jimenez have been called upon.

Vega goes to ground in the box and falls somewhat overdramatically as he looks for a spot kick. The ref waves away the appeal and a corner is awarded. 

America strike on the counter and Rodriguez is free but slips on the wet surface in the box. 

Apart from the initial burst in the first few minutes, it's been all America with Chivas unable to maintain any sustained possession.

Great chance for Zendejas as he drives from the edge of the box but laments as his left footed effort is high and wide.

The free is overhit and the ball goes out for a Chivas throw.

Briseño carded as he clips Valdes on the border of the box.

First card of the night and complicated for the Chivas defender now who will need to watch his step.

Concern for America as Luis Fuentes seems to be in trouble with a muscular injury.

Chivas immediately on the attack ... Central midfielder Beltran will be instrumental should the 'Sacred Flock' look to advance and has been excellent for Chivas in recent games.

Chivas get the game underway after a minutes silence in memory of the victims of the El Salvador stadium disaster

A reminder of the starting XI's with kick-off just moments away. 

Fireworks greet the arrival of the teams. The atmosphere with the rain even adding to the drama. 

80,000 fans packed into the Azteca which is shortly to be redeveloped and modernised ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The teams are in the tunnel. Anxious anticipation on the faces of both teams.

The rain continues to fall in Mexico City as we see the away sector with plenty of red and white stripes present.

Chivas have to go for it tonight but at the same time ensure that they keep things tight at the back. It will be interesting to see if Paunovic sets his team out to attack from the start or will bide his time.

There is less pressure for Fernando Ortiz knowing that even a one goal defeat will ensure that the Aguilas face Tigres in the Liga MX Clausura 2023 final.

Things very delicately poised but difficult to see Chivas advance.

The mammoth task facing Chivas

Not just have Chivas not managed to beat America by 2 clear goals in recent meetings, only twice in the past ten meetings have the side from Guadalajara beaten Ame'.

Last 10 Clasico Nacionales

Clausura 2023 | Chivas 0 – 1 América
Clausura 2023 | Chivas 2 – 4 América
Apertura 2022 | América 2 – 1 Chivas
Clausura 2022 | Chivas 0 – 0 América
Apertura 2021 | América 0 – 0 Chivas
Guard1anes 2021 | Chivas 0 – 3 América
Guard1anes 2020  | América 1 – 2 Chivas
Guard1anes 2020 | Chivas 1 – 0 América
Apertura 2020 | América 1 – 0 Chivas
Apertura 2019 | América 4 – 1 Chivas

Just 15 minutes to go with the game starting at 10:10 pm (ET).

Both teams going through their final warm-up with a packed house present at the Azteca.

Ortiz selects his XI

Club America head coach Fernando Ortiz has named his side and uses a 4-4-2 formation with Rodriguez and Henry Martin leading the line.

Chivas XI confirmed

Veljko Paunovic has named his side ahead of the Clausura semi-final second leg. Alvarado, Cisneros and Vega forming part of the strikeforce in a 3-4-3 formation.

Inside the America dressing room

America and indeed Chivas will both sport their classic colours tonight with Las Aguilas in their cream/yellow kit with Chivas in red and white striped with dark blue shorts. 

LIGA MX

Paunovic: “We’re going to the capital with the objective of making the final”

The Serbian coach was in a bullish mood ahead of Sunday’s 2023 Liga MX Clausura semi-final second leg with his Chivas needing to record a two goal win.

Tonight's match official

Victor Alfonso Caceres Hernandez has been enlisted top oversee tonight's action at the Estadio Azteca.

The referee from Chiapas has overseen 13 games in the 2023 Clausura regular season and was on hand to officiate in Chivas' 1-0 win against Atlas last weekend with the win enough to see Veljko Paunovic's men advance to the semi-final.

LIGA MX CLAUSURA 2023

Tigres defeat Monterrey to reach Liga MX Clausura 2023 playoff final after late drama

Tigres UANL await in the 2023 Clausura final

Chivas desperate to equal America record

Club America lead the way when it comes to domestic league titles with the 'Aguilas' having claimed 13 league wins during the Clausura/Apertura competitions with their last triumph coming in the 2018 Apertura.

Chivas are one title behind on 12 with their last win coming in 2017 with glory in the Clausura. 

Chivas delayed

The Chivas squad have been submitted to a 30 minute delay in leaving their hotel as a security measure as overseen by the local CDMX law enforcement agency.

History on America's side

In the 68 head-to-head meetings, America hold the upper hand having won 28 games with the Guadalajara side winning 22 with 18 games ending in a draw.

(Stats for short tournaments)

Fans queuing outside the Azteca

It's a wet evening in the Mexican capital with fans prepared for the elements as thunderstorms hit CDMX.

The temperature is mild however with a current temperature of 63F/19C

Possible XI's for El Clásico Nacional

América

Goalkeeper: Luis Malagón Defenders: Cáceres, Reyes, Fuentes, Miguel Layún Midfielders: Richard Sánchez, Álvaro Fidalgo, Diego Valdés Strikers: Zendejas, Jonathan Rodríguez, Henry Martín (C)

Chivas

Goalkeeper: Jiménez Defenders: Sepúlveda, Briseño, Jesús Chiquete, Alan Mozo Midfielders: Alan Torres, ‘Pocho’ Guzmán (C), Fernando Beltrán Strikers: Carlos Cisneros, Alexis Vega, Isaác Brizuela

LIGA MX

When has América lost a playoff game by two or more goals?

To advance to the Clausura 2023 final, Chivas must beat the Águilas by two goals or more at the Azteca on Sunday night. How many times have América lost by such an amount?

What result do Chivas need?

A one goal in will not be enough for Veljko Paunovic’s team to level the tie - they will need two goals at least, without conceding to progress. The away goals rules doesn’t count in the Liga MX. If the aggregate score is level on full-time on Sunday (ie. 1-1, 2-2...), then it will be the team who finished in the highest position during the regular season that advances. In this case, it would be América, who ended the regular phase in second place in the table - level on points with Chivas (34) but with a better goal difference (+15 compared to +10) who go through to the final.

Chivas refuse to throw in the towel

Despite trailing from the first leg, Chivas are optimistic that they can turn the tie around.

After recording a surprise 0-1 win over Monterrey in the second leg of 'El Derbi Regio', Tigres UANL are the first finalists of the 2023 Liga MX Clausura.  

The 'Eagles' from Mexico City hold a 1-0 aggregate lead from the first leg and given their final league position in the regular season, know that an overall tie after the second leg would see Fernando Ortiz's men advance to the final.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the Cláscio Nacional as América face Chivas in the second leg of the 2023 Liga MX Clausura semi-final.