Guadalajara secured its first Copa Libertadores spot since 1998 after defeating 5-3 in penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie during 120 minutes in a dramatic game played at Reliant Stadium before 30,000 fans. As Mexico 3, Chivas now faces Cienciano of Peru in the first phase of Libertadores on February 2 and 9.
Sebastián 'Didi' Pereira's miss into the hands of Chivas keeper Alfredo Talavera, allowing the two penalties from Manuel Sol and Carlos Salcido to give the win to Chivas.
Jaguares started on the attack in search of an opportunity versus Chivas backup goalkeeper Talavera, who was in goal in replacement of injured Oswaldo Sanchez. Jaguares opened the score early when Jose Damasceno crossed the ball to the center area, where Sergio Almaguer converted the 1-0 with only two minutes into the game.
Chivas midfielder Omar Bravo was ejected after being envolved in a fight on the field, right after the team had scored the tying goal in the 53rd minute by way of Adolfo Bautista.
The game continued into extra time before a vocal fan base that maintained the enthusiasm through the 120 minutes and the penalty kicks that began after midnight.
InterLiga.com Player of the Game: Alfredo Talavera (Guadalajara)
Chivas vs. Jaguares - InterLiga 2005
Wednesday, January 12, 2005 - Reliant Stadium - Houston, TX
9:30 p.m. (local)
Scoring Summary:
JAG - Almaguer 2'
GUA - Bautista 53'
GUA - R. Medina (PK)
JAG - Almaguer (PK)
GUA - Bautista (PK)
JAG - Damaseno (PK)
GUA - Alfaro (PK)
GUA - Sol (PK)
JAG - Mora (PK)
GUA - Salcido (PK)
Line-ups:
JAG - Omar Ortiz, Omar Rodríguez, Sergio Almaguer, Adrian Garcia, Victor Gutierrez (Mora 90+), Jose Gutierrez (Ochoa 71'), Jose Damsceno, Sebastiao Periera, Walter Gugliemone (Casanova 90+), Melvin Brown, Ismael Fuentes
GUA - Alfredo Talavera, Javier Rodríguez, Hector Reynoso, Carlos Salcido, Manuel Sol, Ramon Morales (Alfaro 84'), Francisco Palencia (Sabah 90+), Omar Bravo, Rafael Medina, Adolfo Bautista, Alejandro Vela (A. Medina 46')
Referee: Terry Vaughn (USA)
Assistants: Craig Lowry (USA); Nate Clement (USA)
Fourth Official: Jair Marrufo (USA)
Attendance: 28,112
