Club América vs Chivas, summary: Valdés, score, goals & highlights | Liga MX Apertura 2023

Signing off...

That's all from me today, folks. I hope you enjoyed the game as much as I did!

Make sure to check out ASUSA for all your sporting needs, we'll be there to cover it all.

Joe

Full-time report:

From start to finish, that performance was perfect from América, who beat Chivas to a pulp without getting their hands dirty once. 

The Estadio Azteca witnessed one of the all-time great Clásico Nacional performances from André Jardine's side, with goals from Brian Rodríguez, Diego Valdés and Alejandro Zendejas sentencing a poor Chivas side who never managed to make the home team tremble once.

Valdés will grab the headlines and rightly so after his two superb finishes from the edge of the box, both crafted, curling efforts into the far corner. But Brian Rodríguez's game must not be forgotten, as he gave the Chivas defenders a torrid night for the entire time he was on the pitch. 

América looked more energetic, more focussed and more tactically adept against a lacklustre Chivas side who only really had a few pot shots from distance and a decent spell in the opening ten minutes of the tie, something that looks more and more like a part of América's game plan to lure them out of the defensive shape they sat in for the majority of the game.

Overall, it was a fantastic performance from the home side, who climb upwards in the table and look to be in furious form.

FULL-TIME!

What a result for América!

Full-time report coming up...

Gutiérrez fires wide from range in what is surely Chivas' last chance...

Igor spoons a clearance behind for a Chivas corner as they launch a final round of attacks to salvage something from the game.

3 added minutes. It's still raining.

NO PENALTY!

Jiménez got a touch on the ball as he came out to defend the 1 vs 1. Excellent goalkeeping and, ahem, a great use of the VAR.

VAR is having a look...

Rodríguez is 1 vs 1 with the goalkeeper after a counter attack and the referee has given a penalty after he looked to be taken down by Jiménez.

Wait... it's a penalty to América!!!

HUGE CHANCE MISSED FOR AMÉRICA

América continue to attack Chivas like a vengeful supervillain, going at them despite the damage that's already been done. Safe to say the crowd don't mind one bit, and they'd love another goal.

Lara, Sánchez & Rodríguez ON

Quiñones, Dos Santos & Juárez OFF

Padilla & Brigido ON

Calderón & González OFF

Zendejas gets the tap in from close range as the ball comes across goal from the left and the Estadio Azteca erupts once more as Chivas completely collapse from top to bottom!

Mozo does well to burst down the right and hit a cross in towards Cisneros, who fluffs a huge chance and sends a stinker of a header behind him and out for a throw.

Cisneros ON

Marín OFF

América are in cruise control here, they're allowing Chivas all the possession they want, as long as they don't enter within 30 yards of the goal.

Zendejas & Reyes ON

Suárez & Valdés OFF

Chivas have taken the initiative and are trying to put América under some sort of pressure, but it's just not working...

Alvarado gets the ball on the edge of the box, turns and shoots with his left foot. The effort flashes through a gap in the América defence but Malagón is quick to react and gets down well to stop the danger.

BIG SAVE FROM MALAGÓN

The Azteca crowd have opened the box of Olés and they are fully in party mode.

Back underway...

The ball comes in from the left and is cut back to Valdés, who rolls it out from under his feet on the corner of the box and strokes the shot into the far top corner of the goal to send the Azteca crowd absolutely wild!

ANOTHER VALDÉS GOLAZO

A 4 vs 1 counter attack is wasted as Brian's pass is too short and ends up behind Valdés, who tries his best to recover...

América counter attack...

Chivas' energy levels have just dropped off slightly, allowing América to step back into the game and take control once again.

Brian Rodríguez turns his marker into dust as he stops on the wing and immediately accelerates, sending him scrambling for his soul.

Quiñones makes a run through the lines and tries a shot that is saved after the ball is played through; Brian gets on the rebound but it is blocked from close range.

HUGE CHANCE FOR AMÉRICA

It's beautiful play from América and Quiñones, who is slipped in behind the defence and fires a far-post effort that is well saved by the Chivas stopper!

WHAT A SAVE FROM JIMÉNEZ

The free-kick is cleared and gets fired back in, where it lands at the feet of the centre-back, whose shot fizzes wide of the goal.

BRISEÑO SHOOTS JUST WIDE

A yellow card for Leo Suárez after he pulls Alvarado to the floor.

Malagón is down receiving treatment.

A poor clearance from América is due to good pressure from the away side, which causes the crowd to gasp.

Chivas have a corner after a nice passing move, they have to throw whatever they can at this game, given the huge task ahead of them.

Chivas look to have eaten their half-time oranges and appear to be full of energy at the start of this half: they're pressing América well and making things uncomfortable for them on the ball.

Chivas have started brightly, this time it's Alvarado with a wayward shot from inside the box.

Mozo ON

Sánchez OFF

The shot came in and Marín was indeed just offside as he smashed the rebound into the goal past Malagón. Correct decision.

OFFSIDE!!!!

Quiñones comes in off the left and hits a low effort towards goal that is blocked.

It's a big call to take Vega off at half-time, let's see what effect that change has on the game...

Second half underway!

Off we go again!

Sepúlveda ON

Vega OFF

The man of the moment...

Valdés' goal is going to take some beating tonight - what a strike it was!

Half-time stats:

América - Chivas

Goals: 2-0

xG: 0.25 - 0.14

Shots: 5-5

Shots on target: 3-1

Possession: 55-45

Fouls: 5-8

Half-time report:

Well, that was an incrediblyentertaining half of football!

The opening 10-15 minutes could have gone either way, with Chivas having the majority of the ball and looking dangerous in attack.

América started slowly but gradually grew into the game and began to make their own half chances before Brian Rodríguez broke the deadlock with a superb run and finish from the left side.

The wait to double the lead didn't take long, and it was Valdéswho was given way too much time and space to take the ball inside on his right foot and whip a sensational strike past Jiménez in the Chivas goal to put América firmly in the driving seat for what remains of the game.

Half-time!

That's all for the first 45!

2 added minutes.

Alvarado is brought down some distance from goal after a huge scramble in the middle third. The chance to play the ball in is wasted and Piojo floats a terrible cross way over the bar.

América are allowing Chivas time and space on the ball, which is normal given they are 2 goals ahead and only have a few minutes to go until half-time.

Alvarado whips in a delightful cross from the right and Kevin Álvarez is there to clear a defensive header over the bar.

Alvarado hits a (weak) shot on target for Chivas, which may be the first of the game for them.

Valdés tries to slide in Kevin Álvarez for what surely would have been goal number three, but Chivas defend well. 

I can't say it wasn't coming... Chivas have not reacted at all since the first goal of the game and deserve to be behind.

Back underway. Chivas with it all to do.

Valdés picks the ball up on the left wing with options on both sides. He takes a few touches, realises there is no press and a route towards goal, and he whips a sensational shot into the far top corner of the goal from the edge of the box!

AND IT'S A GOLAAZZOOOO

VALDÉS VALDÉS VALDÉS

The players are visibly frustrated with the lack of a reaction from the team...

Chivas win back possession after a poor pass from Kevin into the central space, but they panic and immediately kick the ball out of play.

Brian skips on his left before cutting back on his right, sending Sánchez one way and then the other. However, instead of crossing, he works it one more time onto his other foot and the crowd almost break out into laughter at the struggle for the defender.

Since the goal, it's been entirely América: Chivas have not had a single touch that has moved them up the pitch, they look shellshocked.

Suárez gets down the right side of the pitch and goes back on his right foot after cutting inside, but Calderón is there to cover and cut out the danger.

Chivas are struggling to hold onto the ball as América work their way around the press.

Having a look at the replay, the shot actually hits a Chivas defender before deflecting into the goal. The shot was certainly on target, but the last touch came off the body of a red and white shirt.

The ball is flicking and flashing between the boots of América's players, who are sparkling with confidence. 

We're back underway...

A nice move goes from right to left and Quiñones plays to BrianRodríguez, who slips inside the box on his right foot. 

He skips past one, two, three challenges before sliding a low shot underneath the goalkeeper, who came rushing out to try and save the situation, and the ball rolls across the line!

BRIAN RODRÍGUEZ

Calderón recovers the ball from Leo Suárez and Chivas survive what could have been a dicey moment: América counter attacked well and had plenty of numbers in support.

Gutiérrez hits a volley that's blocked after a nice spell of pressure from Chivas. 

The game is wildlyopen and yet to settle down...

A half chance for América comes after good pressure from Kevin, who wins the ball high up the pitch. His cross is decent and floats to the far post, where the header from Brian is weak and easily defended.

If América's plan isn't to press high, Quiñones certainly didn't read his emails. He's charging around like a caffeine-fuelled locomotive.

Marín and Alexis Vega can't get on the rebound as Beltrán's shot is blocked by Fuentes on the right side of the box. 

Chivas are calming the change in pressure with some slow and considered possession at the back, and América look happy to let them have the ball.

It appears as though the home side have woken up, which is just as well, as Chivas looked way too comfortable in the first five minutes.

The ball is worked well from back to front and ends with a shot across goal from Leo which is saved by Jiménez; Quiñones was lurking for any scraps but the goalkeeper held onto it well.

CHANCE FOR AMÉRICA

Seven minutes in and América get their first touches on the ball in Chivas' half, which eventually comes to and end after a foul is given against the home side.

Chivas have América pinned back into their own box and are launching crosses into the area.

Fuentes is brought down and that gives the home side - and fans - a breather.

Corner to Chivas, the first of the game.

Malagón comes flying out of his goal and just about gets a hand on the ball to push it away from the danger zone...

Calderón is brought down by Kevin on the left, and the crowd certainly don't agree with the decision to give a foul...

As you might have expected, it's a frantic start from both sides. We've had about 3 passes on target so far, as boots continue to fly in.

Chivas push their opponents back and fire in a cross from the right, which is cleared.

14 seconds in and we've got a foul and an argument in the middle of the pitch. América with the free-kick.

And we're off!

Chivas get us going in the pouring rain.

Wow, this stadium is seriously bouncing...

The players are on the pitch!

A quick national anthem and we'll be ready to go!

Do not fear!

There appears to be a slight delay to kick-off, but I believe it's due to the Monterrey vs León game not quite being finished yet, instead of any worry about the weather at the Azteca.

The rain is still thundering down...

I don't think right now there is any chance of the game being delayed but the surface is certainly taking a beating from the heavens, which have opened ahead of kick-off.

Before we begin:

In the other big Liga MX game today, 10-man Rayados are currently beating León 3-1 at Estadio BBVA Bancomer.

We've got a couple of minutes left of that game, and then we get into the biggie of the weekend!

A reminder of the man with the whistle:

42-year-old Fernando Guerrero will be the serious-faced man with the whistle at the Estadio Azteca.

He is a seasoned pro, with 13 Liga MX campaigns under his belt. In the controversial Clásico Nacional of 2019, he blew the whistle as América won 4-1 against Chivas.

Jorge Antonio Pérez Durán is the VAR man, but let’s hope we don’t hear from him too much. 

It's raining, it's pouring....

A bit of water is certainly not affecting the atmosphere inside the ground - if anything it's causing the fans to be even louder!

Fifteen minutes to go!

A reminder of the starting XIs:

If you've just joined us, welcome!

Here's a reminder of how both teams are lining up for the Clásico Nacional !

CLUB AMÉRICA

GK: Malagón

DEF: Fuentes - Igor - Ramón - Kevin

MID: Dos Santos - Fidalgo - Valdés

ATT: Brian - Quiñones - Leo

CHIVAS

GK: Jiménez

DEF: Sánchez - Briseño - Chiquete - Calderón

MID: González - Beltrán - Gutiérrez

ATT: Vega - Marín - Alvarado

The Azteca is ready! (and rainy)

Allow me to indulge, dear reader, but the Estadio Azteca one of my favourite grounds in the world, without a doubt. I don't know what it is, but the Azteca fizzes me. Perhaps both Pelé and Maradona lifting World Cup trophies there has something to do with it.

Pre-game fire from Alvarado:

Coming to the Azteca is Chivas' second home. We like coming to play here, it's different, it's a league game, and you play the Clásicos to the death. I hope it goes well for us."

LIGA MX

Club América vs Chivas: five players to watch in the Clásico Nacional

Ahead of kick-off, we've given you the ultimate guide of who to keep an eye on during the clash.

There are some fab picks in here from the boffins at AS, who have selected some obvious and some not-so-obvious candidates. Again, if you feel like we've missed anyone out, most probably your favourite player, hit me up and I'll defend the decisions with my life. That's how social media works, right?

América XI announced!

Well, here I am, feeling smug as I got the XI correct earlier.

Quiñones is up top with Brian and Leo; Fidalgo starts in the middle ahead of new boy Igor, who's next to Ramón.

Have your say!

We've got a Twitter - sorry, X - poll up and running so you can have your say on which way you think the result will go. Predict the score in the replies, as well as any goal scorers and I'll pick out any correct guesses to post on the feed!

Or just start a friendly chat with me, @j4brennan or @English_AS.

While we wait on the team news...

Here's a stat for you:

Chivas are just 2 goals away from reaching the simply astonishing figure of 4,000 goals in Liga MX!

Can they do it tonight against their eternal rivals?

Joel Sánchez has his say on the Clásico:

El Tiburón’ is one of a privileged group of players who have played for two of the biggest clubs in Mexican soccer.

Now 49, and 12 years since hanging up his boots for good, he still feels a strong allegiance to both clubs and finds himself torn ahead of Saturday’s clash - the 250th meeting between these two giants of Mexican soccer. 

“It’s truly a privilege, there are few players who have that honor of having worn the most representative shirts in the country, of the greatest clubs - Chivas and América and also the national team. Many people criticized me for deciding to play for América, but I don’t regret it and I am sure that a lot of people also know that my greatest love will be for Chivas. I have gratitude and respect for América, but my love will always be for Chivas."

Here's everything he had to say...

Here's the starting XI for Chivas!

Marín starts up front with Vega in a powerful XI from Paunovic.

Team news reminder: Chivas

Oscar Whalley did not make the squad, while Carlos Cisneros and José Juan Macías are both recovering from injury.

Víctor Guzmán is back in a heavily changed squad list for Chivas, which also sees youth team players Jesús Brigido y Raúl Rangelincluded in the squad.

A reminder of the team news: Club América

The whopping great news for the Azulcremas is that chief windup merchant, Henry Martin, is back in training with the side after being out due to injury. However, he is set to start on the bench.

Israel Reyes is set to miss out due to an injury he suffered vs Cruz Azul. Néstro Araujo has a knee issue, and despite being back in training, it’s likely he won’t be risked.

LIGA MX

Why did América boss André Jardine undergo emergency surgery? Will he on the bench against Chivas?

While we wait on the team news, here's the latest on América manager, André Jardine, who went under the knife just days ago.

The club released a statement saying that “Club América would like to inform that our head coach André Jardine was successfully operated on for acute appendicitis, this morning. His recovery time will depend on how his condition evolves”.

The Azulcrema players arrive at the stadium!

It's a hugely warm welcome from the fans who are excited to see their superstars take to the pitch in just over an hour!

Here's how the table looks:

Chivas currently sit in 4th place in the league after having played 7. They've won 4 of them, drawn 1 and lost just 2. 

As for América, they're a couple of points below but with one game less, sitting on 11 to Chivas' 13. A win today would see them leapfrog their rivals in the table.

At the top of the pile, although thanks to the graphic you can't see them, are SanLuis, who have 16 points, one about Juárez.

LIGA MX

Official: Igor Lichnovsky joins América

América formallyannounced the arrival of 29-year-old Chilean Igor Lichnovsky to reinforce the defence for the rest of the tournament.

With the team news coming through, he looks set to start alongside Ramón, given Sebastián Cáceres' injury news.

Lichnovsky enjoyed spells at other Liga MX clubs (Necaxa, CruzAzul) and has played in Europe - in Spain with Valladolid and Sporting Gijón and in Portugal with Porto B.

We're getting word of the América XI...

Here's how we expect América to line up for the Clásico Nacional : 

GK: Malagón 

DEF: Fuentes - Ramón - Igor - Kevin

MID: Jona - Fidalgo - Valdés

ATT: Brian - Quiñones - Leo

LIGA MX

Adrián Chávez: “I would have eaten Henry Martín alive” for derby goal celebration

Henry Martin has made a name for himself for being something of a wind up merchant in the Clásico de Mexico, mainly for his over-the-top reactions and celebrations, which have done a great job in getting under the skin of the Chivas fans.

And now, former Mexico goalkeeper Adrián Chávez has insisted that the América striker would not have got away with his provocative behaviour in in the past.

“I would have eaten him alive if he had celebrated a goal like he did,” Chavez said. “At least I would punch him and there would be a fight. That’s what they were about, those games... I would not have allowed someone to celebrate against me in that way.”

Pre-game comments:

How things went last time:

Club America had asserted their domination over Chivas in recent meetings but lost 3-1 at home to their rivals in the Clausura semifinals in May, meaning that a sweet plate of revenge could be on the table for the 13-time champions.

The dressing room is ready!

The famous red and white striped kit is looking amazong ahead of kick-off.

Injury news for América:

The club have announced that Sebastián Cáceres has suffered an adductor injury and he will be out of action for an unspecified amount of time.

Who's the ref?

42-year-old  Fernando Guerrero will be the serious-faced man with the whistle at the Estadio Azteca.

He is a seasoned pro, with 13 Liga MX campaigns under his belt. In the controversial Clásico Nacional of 2019, he blew the whistle as América won 4-1 against Chivas.

Jorge Antonio Pérez Durán is the VAR man, but let’s hope we don’t hear from him too much. 

Where is the game being played?

The Estadio Azteca is one of the world’s great football venues.

It opened in 1966 and holds 83,264 fans. It is the largest stadium in the country and the 8th largest football stadium in the world.

The Azteca is where Diego Maradona scored the ‘Hand of God’ goal and is the only stadium on the planet to have seen both Pelé and Maradona lift the World Cup.

América have won 14 times against Chivas at the Azteca; Chivas have 11 wins and there have been 12 draws.

While Chivas won here last year in the semi-finals, they have not won a game in the regular phase of the season at the Estadio Azteca since 2016!

Team news: Chivas

Oscar Whalley did not make the squad, while Carlos Cisneros and José Juan Macías are both recovering from injury.

Víctor Guzmán is back in a heavily changed squad list for Chivas, which also sees youth team players Jesús Brigido y Raúl Rangel make the squad.

Team news: América

The whopping great news for the Azulcremas is that Henry Martin is back in training with the side after being out due to injury.

Israel Reyes is set to miss out due to an injury he suffered vs Cruz Azul. Néstro Araujo has a knee issue, and despite being back in training, it’s likely he won’t be risked.

Welcome!

Hello hello and a huge welcome to the AS USA live coverage of the football today, and what a cracker we’ve got. 

It’s Joe here today to guide you through the humongous game of América vs Chivas in Liga MX !

I don’t know about you, but I am bouncing with excitement.