Columbus Crew 1-1 Club América: summary, score, highlights, penalty shoot-out | Campeones Cup
Columbus Crew - Club America: Live updates
Club América lift Campeones Cup!
Andre Jardine's team took the lead midway through the second half when Victor Davila raced through on goal and slotted coolly past Patrick Schulte.
Columbus Crew fought back and found a leveller soon after when Malte Amundsen poked the ball home at a corner kick. With neither team able to find a winner, the Campeones Cup went to penalty shoot-out for the second season in a row.
It took seven rounds of spot kicks for a winner to be found. Goalscorer Amundsen saw his effort cannon back off the crossbar, allowing Nestor Aruajo to fire home from 12 yards and clinch the trophy for Club América.
A hard-fought win for the Liga MX giants, but one that gives them their first-ever Campeones Cup triumph.
Club America clinch dramatic shoot-out victory.
The Liga MX giants claim continental bragging rights after an enthralling penalty shoot-out at Lower.com Field, clinching Campeones Cup for the first time in club history.
Nestor Araujo - Scores!
The America defender fires the ball past Schulte and wins the shoot-out!
Club America are 2024 Campeones Cup winners!
Malte Amundsen - Misses!
The Crew defender steps up and thumps his penalty against the crossbar.
Agony for the Columbus star!
Ramon Juarez - Saved!
Patrick Schulte comes up big for Columbus and saves low to his left.
We go on!
AZ Jackson - Saved!
The Columbus substitute steps up and sees his spot kick saved well by Malagon.
Club America can win it with the next kick...
Victor Davila - Scores!
Ice-cool penalty from Davila, slotting the ball past Schulte.
DeJuan Jones - Scores!
Brilliant penalty, rammed into the bottom corner. America have to score now!
Alvaro Fidalgo - Scores!
Neat penalty from the former Real Madrid man.
We're all square going into the fifth round of spot kicks. We're now at sudden death...
Cucho Hernandez - Scores!
He steps up confidently and slides the ball just past Malagon and into the bottom corner.
Rodrigo Aguirre - Scores!
Another substitute, Aguirre rifles the ball past Schulte.
Jacen Russell-Rose - Scores!
The Crew substitute coolly sweeps the ball into the bottom left corner.
Richard Sanchez - Saved!
Poor penalty from Sanchez, too close to the goalkeeper. Schulte saves!
Alexandru Matan - Saved!
The Crew substitute tries to pass it into the bottom corner but Malagon gets across well to save. The first mistake!
Diego Valdez - Scores!
Schulte went the right way but the Club America man finds the bottom corner.
Rudy Camacho - Scores!
The Crew defender places the ball into the corner. Cool penalty.
Rudy Camacho will take the first spot kick for Columbus Crew.
Can he hold his nerve...
Which side will the penalties be taken?
The referee is tossing a coin to decide which goal the penalties will be taken in and in what order.
The Crew win both tosses. They opt to take in front of the Nordecke, and to take the first spot kick.
Columbus Crew - Club America will be decided with a shoot-out.
Nothing between the two teams over the regulation 90 minutes. Malte Amundsen's second half leveller ensures that this game will be decided by penalties.
We're going to penalties!
The final whistle blows and the two teams are still level. It'll be a penalty shootout at Lower.com Field to decide the winners of the 2024 Campeones Cup.
Russell-Rowe brings his team forward one last time, winning Columbus Crew a corner kick on the left. Matan will take it with an in-swinging right boot...
It comes to nothing and that could be that!
Victor Davila goes down holding his right knee after a clash on the halfway line. No free kick given, but he did receive a whack from Malte Amundsen.
Club America look fairly content with penalties but the Crew are continuing to push here. Can they force a late chance?
It's Jackson who takes the corner kick but it's easily cleared.
We're going to have three minutes of added time.
The Crew aren't done yet. Substitute AZ Jackson spins on the ball 25 yards from goal and takes a shot, seeing his effort deflect behind for a corner kick.
WATCH: Malte Amundsen goal levels it for Columbus Crew.
This is the moment that the Columbus Crew defender poked home a loose ball in the box, levelling things in Campeones Cup. Will someone make themselves a hero in the final few minutes?
Coming off are Rossi and Arfsten. Jones and Jackson replace them.
Strange to see Rossi coming off with penalties kicks (potentially) so close.
What happens if there's a tie in Campeones Cup?
The scores are tied with just five minutes of normal time remaining at Lower.com Field.
If the the game is still level at the end of the second half (including injury time) this game will go straight to penalty kicks. Each team will take five penalties apiece, with the winning team crowned champions.
If it's still square after those spot kick, we'll go to sudden death...
Rudy Camacho does brilliantly to hold up Aguirre put in a solid tackle as the America forward runs in on goal.
Good defending from the Crew man. Corner kick to Club America.
The introduction of Russell-Rowe will change the challenge here for Club America. He'll play off the last man, looking to run in-behind.
Nancy will hope that leaves extra room for Rossi and Cucho.
The Crew definitely seem to be in the ascendency now. They've got the goal, the home crowd is in great voice and they've grown into this game.
Confirmation of those Crew changes.
Ramirez and Zawadzki are replaced. Russell-Rowe and Matan come on.
Interesting note on that Crew goal.
They were readying substitutes as Diego Rossi was trotting across to take the corner kick. Wilfried Nancy opted to delay the change and it was Cristian Ramirez who won the initial header with his final touch of the game.
GOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAL! Malte Amundsen
The Columbus defender gets a touch on the corner kick and scrambles the ball home.
It's all square!
Columbus Crew win a corner kick. Diego Rossi will take it.
He swings it in...
Final 15 minutes now, the Crew support ups the atmosphere at Lower.com Field as their team knocks the ball around confidently in the America half.
You can tell how much this would mean for the Crew.
Brilliant play from Darlington Nagbe, shrugging off the challenges in midfielder and driving his team forward.
Diego Rossi has been a real livewire in the second half for the Crew. If they are to level this game, he looks like the most likely source of inspiration.
Will Wilfried Nancy consider a substitute at this stage?
WATCH: Victor Davila goal gives Club America the lead.
He'd only been on the field for a few minutes but the 26-year-old has given his team a crucial lead in Campeones Cup. Ice in the veins from Davila.
So close for Diego Rossi.
Nearly the perfect response from the hosts!
Columbus come forward with Farsi on the right and he curls in a brilliant, teasing cross to the back post. Rossi is there to meet it with his head but, with Malagon scrambling, can't direct his effort on target.
That's a let-off for America.
GOOOOOAAAAAAAAL! Victor Davila
The Club America substitute has the goal, finishing off a slick counter-attack.
Brilliant finish from a neat attacking move!
Cucho Hernandez lofts a brilliant ball up to Arfsten on the edge of the box. He plays the ball down to Diego Rossi but he can't quite make room for a shot.
Cucho is growing in influence here.
Fidalgo brings the ball forward for America, finding Calderon on the left. He looks for Aguirre in the middle but it's a bit aimless and the Crew get the ball clear comfortably.
With an hour on the clock, we're still no closer to finding out who will lift Campeones Cup. Both teams have enjoyed periods of the game in the ascendency, both have fashioned chances.
Triple change for Club America.
Davila, Aguirre and Valdez come on. They replace Rodriguez, Martin and Zendejas.
FIdalgo denied by Schulte.
Best chance of the game.
Henry Martin plays the ball in behind the Crew defence, sending Alvaro Fidalgo through on goal. He's one-on-one but can't beat Schulte, who stands big to make the save.
Another sharp Crew counter-attack finds Cristian Ramirez 25 yards from the America goal. He strikes the ball low and hard, Malagon comes up with a good save.
Ten minutes in, it's been a much more assured start to the second half for Columbus Crew. They look up to the pace of the game now, capable of causing America some problems.
Cucho and Rossi combine well on the halfway line to set the latter sprinting clear. He considers laying the ball off to Ramirez on the right but Jonathan dos Santos makes a brilliant recovery tackle to stop the move.
Sean Zawadzki tries a long ball over the top for Diego Rossi, but the Crew forward had just strayed offside.
Zawadzki looks to be playing with a bit more offensive licence in this half.
Moment of panic at the back for Columbus as Patrick Schulte fluffs a clearance. Henry Martin tries to make space for a shot but the Crew do well to crowd him out on the edge of the box.
Good work from Malte Amundsen, winning the ball back for Columbus and finding Cristian Ramirez on the edge of the box. He tries to curl one from range but it's just over the crossbar.
Back to the action, Columbus Crew win a corner kick but America clear the first ball and the hosts are forced to go all the way back to Schulte.
Apologies for the error on our scoreboard, which mistakenly said '1-1'.
The score remains 0-0. Goalless in Campeones Cup.
America waste little time getting back on the ball, working it out to Zendejas on the right. He charges towards goal but the Crew get men back in time to block his progress.
Second half is underway.
Columbus Crew get things going at Lower.com Field.
Columbus Crew take to the field.
The hosts are back out for the second half. We're still waiting for Club America, however.
Luis Malagon saves Diego Rossi effort.
The best move of the first half was probably this from the Crew, with Cucho Hernandez curling in a delight cross with the outside of his right boot. Diego Rossi did everything right in the middle but his header was well-saved by the America goalkeeper.
Cucho Hernandez comes close for Columbus.
The Crew struggled to get a grip for much of the first half but they came into their own in the final few minutes, with Cucho Hernandez working this good opening from a corner kick.
Halftime at Lower.com Field.
And that's all for the first half of Campeones Cup. All square at the break.
Club America were on top for most of the opening 45 minutes but the Crew probably made the best chances.
Just one minute of added time signalled.
Cucho and Rossi nearly combine!
The best play of the game from Columbus.
Sharp interplay in the middle to set Cucho Hernandez free on the left. He looks up and curves a cross towards Diego Rossi in the middle. Rossi does well to connect but his firm header is pushed wide from Luis Malagon.
Better from the Crew.
Good run from Zawadzki now, bursting into the box for the Crew. He's dispossessed as he tries to make room for a shot but this is better from Columbus.
Cucho comes close for Columbus Crew.
Clever movement from the corner kick from Cucho Hernandez. He wins the header and nods it downwards, only to see it bounce back up and over the crossbar.
More good work from Columbus finds Arfsten on the edge of the box. He takes aim but his shot is deflected wide.
Corner kick to the Crew, Rossi to take.
Big appeals for a Columbus Crew penalty.
Amundsen finds Diego Rossi in the middle and he darts into the Club America box. He skips past two challenges before being shouldered to the ground by Ramon Juarez.
The Crew want a penalty but the referee says no. It would've been soft, but it looked like a decent shout.
Diego Rossi breaks free through the midfield and fires the ball out to Farsi on the right flank. He works the ball back to Cucho Hernandez but the Colombian loses possession with an ambitious backheel.
The Crew need to make the most of those opportunities. I don't think they've taken a shot in the opening 36 minutes.
Brilliant play from America to pass the ball out of a Columbus press and up-field. The attack eventually breaks down but that was excellent from the visitors.
Sean Zawadzki
The Crew midfielder goes into the book for that challenge.
The game's getting slightly bitty now. Lots of fouls from the Crew, particularly on Henry Martin as the America striker tries to hold up the ball.
Another foul, this time a lunge from Zawadzki on Zendejas.
Sean Zawadzki appears to have recovered from that early knock but he's struggling to get into the game . The Crew need to get a hold of the game in midfield, to start to impart their will on this match.
All square in Campeones Cup.
The scores are level as we approach the half-hour-mark. Club America has probably had the better of the play at Lower.com Field but haven't really made any clear-cut chances.
It's Brian Rodriguez who takes it, firing the ball goalwards with his right boot. His effort clips the Columbus defensive wall and spins out for a corner kick.
Cristian Ramirez is back to clear the ball with his head and it's booted up-field.
Another free kick won by Henry Martin on the edge of the Crew box. It's in a good crossing position this time, or maybe even within shooting range.
Diego Rossi stayed down for a few moments after that challenge from Araujo. It looked like a good tackle from the America defender but Rossi isn't happy about it, and he lets the referee know.
Out of nowhere Columbus thread together a few passes and suddenly Diego Rossi is sprinting through on goal. He approaches the edge of the America box but, just as he's about to shoot, Nestor Araujo flies in with a perfect sliding challenge.
Brilliant from the Club America central defender.
Clumsy foul from Rudy Camacho in Henry Martin, around 35 yards from goal. Rather than send the big defenders up, America play it short and return to their passing triangles.
They've probably had more possession than the Crew so far. And it's not often that you can say that.
Cucho makes a direct run in behind the Club America backline, trying to stretch the play. We haven't seen much of that so far from the hosts, it's all been a bit too comfortable for America.
Good work from Zendejas on the right flank to skip past his man and win a corner kick for Club America.
The corner's taken short but the visitors can't make anything of it.
Zendejas shows good footwork for the visitors and gets them up the field. America work the ball to Brian Rodriguez, who darts to the edge of the box and takes aim, but his left-footed effort is easily saved by Patrick Schulte.
It looks like Cristian Ramirez is functioning as a central striker now for the Crew, allowing Cucho to drift out to the right and drop deep.
Interesting move from Wilfried Nancy, one that might catch America off-guard.
Big boos from the home support as visiting goalkeeper Luis Malagon takes him time over a free kick.
Columbus are eager to get things back underway.
Sustained spell of possession for America now, knocking the ball around calmly in their own half.
Good pressure from the Crew to win the ball back but Arfsten can't make anything of the opportunity to cross.
Signs of frustration from Cucho Hernadez as Columbus are hassled high up the field and Schulte resorts to punting the ball long.
Columbus under pressure now.
Sean Zawadzki does well to block a shot from Rodriguez in the box, before other Crew defenders are forced to dive in and stop Zendejas from taking aim.
Vague appeals for a penalty from Henry Martin as the America striker takes a tumble in the Crew box.
It wasn't, and the referee says so, but the Crew need to be very careful with Martin.
America come forward now with Zendejas, who plays a ball forward to Brian Rodriguez. The two former MLS players try to combine but the pass is overhit.
Cucho Hernandez shows some nice early touches, dropping deep to link the play for his team. It'll be interesting to see how America deal with his movement this evening.
The game's resumed here but Zawadzki is still down on his knees, receiving treatment from the Crew medical staff. He's clearly struggling here.
Diego Rossi whips in a dangerous corner kick towards Sean Zawadzki. He can't quite connect with the ball and goes down holing his ribs.
He might have got a knock there.
Good ball forward from Sean Zawadski, setting Arfsen free on the left. He wins the Crew a corner kick
What can we expect from this one? Both teams will look to dominate the game, both confident in their abilities and intend on playing a possession-based style.
And we're off!
Club America get things underway in Columbus.
And here's how Club America line up.
An impressive starting XI from Club America, too. Former MLS star Alejandro Zendejas gets the start for Andre Jardine's team.
Another look at the Columbus Crew team news.
The Crew are able to name a full-strength team for tonight's game.
The teams are out!
Columbus Crew are serenaded by the home support with a rendition of 'Falling in Love With You' as they enter Lower.com Field.
Great atmosphere in the stadium ahead of kick-off. Let's hope the on-field action lives up to it.
La Aguilas flying high in Columbus.
Not only did Club America pick up more points than any other Liga MX team across the past 12 months, they also lifted both the Apertura and Clausura titles. It's been a brilliant period under Andre Jardine, one that they'll be eager to continue.
Kick-off fast approaching at Lower.com Field!
There's just a few minutes to go until the 2024 Campeones Cup gets underway. The Nordecke is in good voice in Columbus ahead of kick-off, will they see another evening of success this evening>
More success for Wilfried Nancy and the Crew?
It's difficult to believe it now, but Columbus Crew failed to even make it to the playoffs in the year before Wilfried Nancy took over as head coach. But since taking charge for the 2023 season he's enjoyed incredible success, lifting MLS Cup in his first season and following that up with Leagues Cup last month.
He's now closing in on a third trophy in 18 months in charge, an incredible record for the Frenchman.
Sean Zawadzki on Columbus Crew progression.
Ahead of tonight's game I spoke to Columbus Crew star Sean Zawadzki. The Ohio native captained the club's youth teams in the academy and has become an integral part of Wilfried Nancy's squad.
Here's what he had to say...
The players are out!
The two teams are out on the turf at Lower.com Field, going through their paces ahead of kick-off.
Just 15 minutes to go until the off now.
USMNT forward ready for Crew test.
"I feel like now we're in a good moment. We definitely know what the coach wants, what he expects from us. So, just learn from every mistake that we did a year ago and just put it into practice, and don't let it happen again tomorrow. Focus on ourselves, what we can do on the field and get the result we need."
"[Columbus] is used to being up there in the top of the league, winning trophies every time they can get the chance to. Luckily, we've been on a roll. I guess you could say that we've been winning."
Club America team news.
And here's the starting XI for the visitors. Again, no major surprises. Henry Martin leads the line for America and wears the captain's armband. The Liga MX Golden Boot (Clausura 2023) winner will be the major attacking threat for America.
Columbus Crew team news.
Here's how the hosts line up this evening. No major surprises from Wilfried Nancy, who returns Cucho Hernandez to the starting XI after resting the Colombian last weekend.
There's been a remarkable turnaround in the fortunes of the Columbus Crew in the past 18 months, transformed from a mid-table side into a championship-winning team.
Ohio-born Sean Zawadzki has played a big role in that process. Ahead of tonight's game, we spoke to him about the impact of Wilfried Nancy....
Columbus Crew look to replicate Leagues Cup success?
Can the Columbus Crew prove their progression and get one over Liga MX representation?
Yes, they can! They did it earlier this season in Leagues Cup, coming out on top of the MLS-Liga MX competition. Here's a look back at the Crew's and Club America's Leagues Cup journeys.
Past winners of Campeones Cup.
Columbus Crew and Club America have the chance to enter the history books this evening. In the brief history of Campeones Cup only a handful of teams have won the competition, and Tigres UANL are the only team to have won it twice.
With a win tonight, Columbus Crew could join that illustrious club.
Crew in the house.
Within the past few minutes the players of Columbus Crew have arrived at Lower.com Field. Wilfried Nancy's team secured a thrilling 4-3 victory over Eastern Conference rivals Orlando City on Saturday.
Will they be tired from the weekend's exhaustion, or can Nancy get another big performance from his team?
We'll be bringing you live text commentary of Columbus Crew - Club America in Campeones Cup this evening. However you can also choose to stream the game wherever you are in the world. Here's everything you need to know...
Club America arrive at Lower.com Field.
The Liga MX champions are in the house.
Club America boast one of the most talented rosters on the continent and they've been dominant in Mexico recently, winning both the Apertura and Clausura titles in the past year.
Home support could be key for Columbus.
The Crew have one of the most celebrated and passionate supports anywhere in MLS and they will be eager to make themselves heard tonight. There's been plenty of success in Columbus in the past 18 months but Wilfried Nancy's side are still pushing for more.
Columbus Crew ready to challenge Liga MX giants.
"We can compete against anyone in this region."
"[The CONCACAF Champions Cup final] was a great day for us to be able to test ourselves against a top side, a historic side. So now I think we're in a different place. We're excited to be in front of our fans again and to be able to be in a situation to host the final."
The scene is set in Columbus.
We're a little over an hour from kick-off at Lower.com Field, where Columbus Crew will host tonight's game. Campeones Cup is always played at the home of the MLS representative in a bid for Mexican teams to 'engage with US fans' and take build commercial ties north of the border.
Campeones Cup was fist introduced in 2018 as a way to build connections between the two largest soccer leagues in the region, MLS and Liga MX. But even after that time many sports fans in the US are still unsure about what it actually is.
Here's what you need to know...
Columbus awaits another final
It's a testament to the job done by Wilfried Nancy that games of this magnitude are feeling increasingly normal for Columbus Crew now. Having taken over a team languishing in mid-table, in the past 18 months the Crew have now reached four finals and they're looking to add to their trophy cabinet tonight.
Continental bragging rights are on the line at Lower.com Field this evening as Columbus Crew take on Club America in Campeones Cup.
For the uninitiated, Campeones Cup is a one-off fixtures between the champions of MLS and Liga MX. We'll be bringing you full live coverage of all the action from Lower.com Field, Columbus.
Away we go!