Pachuca needed just a single goal from a slew of chances to edge past visiting Toluca and into the CONCACAF Champions League final, where they'll meet fellow Mexican side Cruz Azul.
Los Tuzos earned the 1-0 victory in the semifinal second leg on Wednesday night for a 2-1 aggregate score. The result ensures Pachuca will make their third final appearance in four years of the regional club championship. They won the tournament in 2007 and 2008.
The hosts jumped out to an early lead when Damián Manso fired off a cross from the left flank and deep into the six-yard box, where Edy Brambila out-jumped his defender and headed Pachuca in front after just six minutes.
Toluca couldn't have had a better chance to level when Héctor Mancilla was gifted the ball in front of an open frame in the 13th minute. However, the striker was unable to control his effort and somehow shot wide from just five yards out.
Pachuca should have punished Toluca in the 39th minute when they stripped the ball from the midfield for a one-one-one with goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera, but DarÃo Cvitanich saw his close-range shot well saved.
Toluca started the second half brightly and came close to earning a tie in the waning minutes when they flashed a shot across goal, but Pachuca held their ground defensively to book their ticket to the finals.
Cruz Azul will host the first leg of the championship series in Mexico City on April 21, with the second leg set for Pachuca's Estadio Miguel Hidalgo on April 28.
The winner of the series earns a berth in the 2010 FIFA Club World Cup in the United Arab Emirates this December.
