Liga MX playoffs: Toluca 2-1 Club América semifinal: score, goals, highlights, 2022 Apertura

Match report

Haret Huerta and Leo Fernández scored to give Toluca a 2-1 win against the team to beat in the Liga MX Club América in the semifinal of the 2022 Apertura campaign. The home side also had one goal disallowed by VAR for offside in the build-ups.

Club América started very strong in the first few minutes of the match and Alejandro Zendejas and Diego Valdés had two clear shots on goal to take the early lead. The visiting side allowed the Eagles to take control of the match, but they were always comfortable with the rhythm of the game throughout the 90 minutes.

Guillermo Ochoa had a bad clearance following a free kick from Leo Fernández and the ball landed in front of Haret Huerta, who would just tap the ball to give Toluca the 1-0 lead early in the game. Then América made another mistake by fouling Jean Meneses inside the box before the break and the ref called the penalty kick that was taken by Leo Fernández and with a powerful left footed shot he would give the home side the 2-0 lead in the first half.

In the second half, Camilo Sanvezzo would scored the third goal for Toluca, but the VAR disallowed it because of a clear offside in the build-ups. This would give América the energy booster they needed and 79th minute Emilio Lara would give the Eagles the much needed goal they were seeking the entire game.

The game is over! Toluca wins 2-1 and América ends their 14-game streak without losing. We will return on Saturday for the second leg of the semifinal at Estadio Azteca.

Álvaro Fidalgo receives the ball inside the box and he attempts a volley from close range, but what a great block from Huerta to clear the danger away.

Roger Martínez takes the free kick and his shot was on target, but Tiago Volpi dove to block the shot.

Free kick for América in a good position near the corner kick. 

Toluca has given up on attacking and they are defending with 10 players, with Carlos González being the only striker to hold on to the 2-1 lead.

The game will continue for six more minutes.

Subs for América

In: Federico Viñas

Out: Henry Martín

Tiago Volpi seems to be concussed following a kick to the head from Henry Martín. The medical staff has entered the pitch to assist the goalkeeper from Toluca. 

The game has stopped but Volpi seems to be fine and he will be able to continue playing. 

América wants the equalizer. 

This time Roger Martínez attempts a shot from outside the box, but it was blocked by a defender from Toluca and América keeps pushing forward in search of the equalizer. 

Subs for Toluca

In: Angulo, Meneses

Out: Guzmán, Álvarez

We have to highlight the amazing play from Henry Martín, because he was able to avoid the offside following a long pass. The Mexico international controlled the ball, raised his head and sent a low cross to Emilio Lara, who came in rushing to the far post to tap the ball and bring América back to the game.

Once again Brian Rodríguez attempts a shot following a corner kick, but it was deflected by a defender from Toluca.

América is playing better and they are very close to score the first goal.

Amazing save from Volpi

Brian Rodríguez makes a powerful low shot inside the box and it was barely blocked by goalkeeper Tiago Volpi. 

Lara makes a powerful cross from the right flank, but there was no América player inside the box.

What a save from Ochoa

Meneses enters the box following an amazing through ball form Leo Fernández and the Toluca winger tried to chip the ball as Ochoa came out, but the América goalkeeper raised his hands and blocked the attempt on goal.

Once again Luis Fuentes makes a bad pass in the last third and Toluca gets the ball back.

Subs for Toluca

Out: Baeza, Sanvezzo

In: Navarro, Sierra

América seems confused and they are not able to make three complete passes at the time.

Two subs for América

Out: Jonathan Rodríguez, Diego Valdes

In: Brian Rodríguez, Roger Martínez

Fernando Ortíz is not happy with the performances of two of his players and he will bring fresh legs in the next few minutes.

Missed opportunity from Toluca

Huerta headers the ball following a free kick from Leo Fernández, but he completely missed the target even though he had no one near him.

Pedro Aquino receives a yellow card after accidentally elbowing Meneses.

Substitution for América

In: Pedro Aquino

Out: Richard Sánchez

Offside!

Cáceres was not able to control the ball following a long pass from Toluca from their box and Camilo Sanvezzo takes it away and before entering the box, he shoots to find the back of the net and beat goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa.

The VAR checked the play and they confirmed that Sanvezzo was indeed offside and the goal gets annulled. Very well done from the ref to call it and we are still 2-0.

América's head coach Fernando Ortíz is not happy with the start of the second half. He is telling his players to give better passes and have longer possessions. 

Nestor Araujo headers the ball following a corner kick, but the defender was not able to get a good strike and it went wide.

Let's go again!

The players are filing out of the tunnel and we'll be back underway in a moment...

Images from the first half

Toluca is surprising many with the 2-0 lead against the team to beat this tournament and the fans are enjoying the performance of the home side in the first 45 minutes.

Half-time musings

Club América started the game pressuring high and had two clear opportunities to score the opener. Alejandro Zendejas and Diego Valdes had clear shots on target, but couldn't find the back of the net.

Merit to Toluca because they have always felt comfortable defending and attacking. They took advantage of the few opportunities they had and they were able to score two goals before the break. 

Peeep! The whistle blows and it's off to the changing rooms for some wise words from the managers.

Álvaro Fidalgo headers the ball, but it was not on target following a cross from the right flank. The Spanish magician's header barely went wide and the referee has ended the first half with Toluca leading 2-0.

Diego Valdés' free kick was on target, but it was blocked by Tiago Volpi. 

Free kick for América and this could be their opportunity to score before the break. 

There will be three addition minutes here.

Toluca is doing a great job managing the rhythm of the game. While América is desperately looking to score before the break. 

Penalty awarded to Toluca!

Carlos Guzmán is booked following a foul against Alejandro Zendejas.

It's only a one goal lead and Toluca is very comfortable with América having possession of the ball.

Club América is struggling to take control of the game following Toluca's goal. The visiting side is making a lot of mistakes and their passes on offense are not precise.

So far, Toluca has been able to manage the game and they have taken the early lead.

First booking of the game.

Richard Sánchez had to stop Toluca's counter attack and he fouled Leo Fernández.

Toluca with their first shot on target. Huerta headers the ball inside the box following a free kick from Leo Fernández, but it lacked direction and power and Guillermo Ochoa controlled it easily. 

This time Jonathan Rodríguez cuts to his right foot and releases a powerful shot, but it was not on target and it went wide.

Álvaro Fidalgo's cross almost ends up in the back of the net as Tiago Volpi struggled to control the ball.

More pressure from América who are back in the groove. A great build up from América ends up with Lara attempting a low cross to Henry Martín, but a defender from Toluca intercepts the ball and clears it.

Once again América looking for the opener.

Diego Valdés dribbles past a defender and instead of giving a through ball to Henry Martín, he decided to shoot before entering the box and the ball went wide.

Álvaro Fidalgo goes down in pain following a foul from Meneses. the Club América magician seemed to be in pain, but after a few seconds he gets up and the play resumes.

Club América averages three goals per game so far in the 2022 Apertura tournament.

We're only a few minutes into this encounter and it already feels as though the pattern is set.

Club América are going full attack early in the game and they already had two clear opportunities to score the opener. At this pace, Toluca has a long night ahead of them.

Once again América makes another shot on target. This time it was Diego Valdés, who received the ball outside the bow following a quick counter attack, and his bot barely went wide.

What an amazing solo play by Alejandro Zendejas. The America winger runs down the left flank dribbling past defenders and shoots on target from a tight angle. Fortunately for Toluca, goalkeeper Tiago Volpi was near the first post to block the shot.

Toluca's Marcel Ruíz steals the ball and attempts a shot from the distance, but the ball goes over the cross bar.

Toluca get the ball rolling and immediately get into their stride.

América is slowly trying to control the game from the beginning but Toluca is pressuring high.

Peep! The game has started at Estadio Nemesio Diez

Almost time

The teams are heading out from the tunnel and that means that it's almost game time.

Both Toluca and Club América have won their last four games across all competitions.

Starting XI: Club América

Ochoa, Fuentes, Caceres, Fidalgo, Valdés, Rodríguez, Araujo, Zendejas, Sánchez, Martín, Lara

Tigo Volpi leads the warm-up

The veteran goalkeeper leads the warm-up for Toluca at Estadio Nemesio Díez ahead to the first leg match against Club América.

Starting XI: Toluca

Volpi, Gúzman, Huerta, Ortega, Mosquera, Ruíz, Baeza, Fernández, Meneses, Sanvezzo, González

Club América

The Eagles have arrived at Estadio Nemesio Díez one hour before the start of the match against Toluca.

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The last time a team reached double digits was Santos Laguna when they defeated Monarcas Morelia 10-4 on aggregate. In that playoff game, Oribe Peralta scored four goals to give ‘Los Laguneros’ the ticket to the final of the 2010 Bicentenario campaign, only to lose in the final against Toluca in penalties.

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Toluca vs Club América live: welcome

Hello and thanks for joining me for live coverage of Club América latest attempt to extend their undefeated streak as they go on the road demonstrate why are they the team to beat in Liga MX this tournament.

The first leg of the quarter-final will be played at Estadio Nemesio Diez and the second leg will be hosted by the Eagles on Saturday night. Our build-up starts here and from kick-off I'll be taking you through the game until we know the result.

Let's go...