After a strong, smart showing in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League final, Club América are now just one game away from defending their title.
On the road and facing a few notable absences, Club América perfected their game plan of stout defending and quick counterattacks to push past Tigres UANL, 2-0, on Wednesday. América were missing six players, including starters Paul Aguilar, Michael "Miky" Arroyo, Darwin Quintero and Moises Munoz, but stuck to the game plan, leaving Tigres with little to show for a 69-percent possession share.
After a scoreless first half, Argentine striker Darío Benedetto headed home an Osvaldo Martínez cross in the 49th minute. The Paraguayan Martínez returned in stoppage time with plenty of space and time to launch of an effort from 25 yards out past Argentine goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán.
With the first-leg result and two away goals, Club América, the reigning CCL champions, are in prime position to recapture the tournament title in the return leg next week. Whichever side wins the title will represent Liga MX and CONCACAF at the FIFA Club World Cup in Japan this December. The second leg is set for Wednesday at the famed Estadio Azteca.
Watch highlights from the first leg below:
