Liga MX playoffs: Toluca 2-1 Club América semifinal: score, goals, highlights, 2022 Apertura
Lara scores for América
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.
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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.
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GOAL! GOL! GOLAZO! América makes it 2-1. What a great assist from Henry Martín to Lara, who came in near the second post to tap the ball and find the back of the net.
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.
GOL! GOAL! GOLAZO! Camilo Sanvezzo capitalized a mistake from América and scores the third one of the night for Toluca.
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.
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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.
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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.
GOL! GOAL GOLAZO! Leo Fernández scores from the penalty spot to give Toluca the 2-0 lead. A powerful left footed shot was enough to beat Guillermo Ochoa and score his first one of the night.
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.
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GOL! GOAL! GOLAZO! Toluca strikes first! What a great free kick from Leo Fernández and Jared Ortega taps the ball to score the first goal of the game.
A bad defensive play by goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa because when he was attempting to come out and punch the ball out, he crashed with his teammate and Ortega took advantage of América's mistake to find the back of the net.
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.
Starting XI: Club América
Ochoa, Fuentes, Caceres, Fidalgo, Valdés, Rodríguez, Araujo, Zendejas, Sánchez, Martín, Lara
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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.
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Starting XI: Toluca
Volpi, Gúzman, Huerta, Ortega, Mosquera, Ruíz, Baeza, Fernández, Meneses, Sanvezzo, González
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Club América
The Eagles have arrived at Estadio Nemesio Díez one hour before the start of the match against Toluca.
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Club América made a clear statement during the quarter-final against Puebla as to why they are the team to beat in this tournament. The Eagles defeated ‘Los Camoteros’ 11-2 on aggregate and became the first team to score more than ten goals in a playoff series since 2010.
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.
It’s fair to say that the current structure of the Mexican league is not without its detractors. At present the season is played in two mini-seasons (Apertura and Clausura) with no relegation currently in place and 12 of the 18 teams advancing to the postseason stage. Many feel that too many teams are rewarded for mediocre campaigns with others claiming that having so many teams involved maintains excitement and tension down to the wire.
With this being Liga MX, each stage of the postseason too has its idiosyncrasies. Do away goals count double? Is there extra time? How do teams progress in tied games?
Club America come into the 2022 Liga MX Apertura semi-final stage as red-hot favourites. ‘Las Aguilas’ not only topped the regular season table with an emphatic end to the campaign but also eliminated Puebla in the quarter-finals with a record 11-2 aggregate scoreline which sent a strong message to other sides with their eye set on becoming champions.
The culmination of 17 matches has finally led to the final four being decided. América, Toluca, Pachuca and Monterrey are the last teams remaining in this year’s apertura. In four days four matches will decide the finalists - but who are they? How have they fared so far this season? Who should you watch out for?
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...