Quiñones scores, supplies assist on debut as América beat Puebla

Julián Quiñones enjoyed a dream debut for Club América on Saturday, scoring one and setting up another as Las Águilas secured their first win of the Apertura 2023 tournament, beating Puebla 3-0 at the Estadio Azteca.

Provides pass for Álvarez to fire América ahead

A summer signing from Atlas, the Colombian striker laid the ball off for fellow new recruit Kevin Álvarez to give América the lead with a powerful drive 10 minutes before the break.

Leonardo Suárez then doubled the hosts’ advantage on the stroke of half time, volleying Diego Valdés’ lofted pass into the net from 10 yards out.

Grabs debut goal after strike disallowed

Midway through the second half, Quiñones thought he had scored América’s third when he beat Puebla’s goalkeeper, Jesús Rodríguez, with a deft close-range finish. However, the 26-year-old’s strike was chalked off as team-mate Suárez had strayed into an offside position moments earlier.

But in the 86th minute, Quiñones finally got his goal. Released on the left by Valdés, Brian Rodríguez squared for the debutant to prod home at the back post and round off a comprehensive victory.

América get points on board ahead of Leagues Cup

América’s first three points of the campaign lift André Jardine’s men to a provisional 12th in the Liga MX’s regular-season standings, with a game in hand.

The 13-time Mexican champions are still to play their matchday-two clash with Querétaro, after the fixture was postponed because the pitch at Los Gallos Blancos’ Estadio La Corregidora was damaged by a recent concert at the stadium.

The Apertura 2023 tournament now heads into a month-long break as its teams take part in the Leagues Cup, a Liga MX-MLS inter-league tournament that gets underway on 21 July.

América kick off their Leagues Cup campaign against St Louis City on 27 July, before facing Columbus Crew in their second group-stage game four days later.