Mexico: Liga MX Apertura

Mexico's Apertura is down to the final two, as both Club America and Leon won their respective Semi-Finals.


America, managed by new interim Mexican National team boss Miguel Herrera had to come back from a first leg deficit to overcome Toluca by three goals to two on aggregate. Two-one down from the first-leg, America scored early on through Colombian defender Aquivaldo Mosquera, a fabulous header,  after a cross from a corner. It took the home side until five minutes from the end to settle the tie as another header from Jesus Molina, also from a corner, a bullet into the bottom left-hand corner. The defending from Toluca from the corner left a lot to be desired. So, its on to the final now for last season's Clausura Champions where they will take on Leon over two-legs.

Leon, five-time Champions, but none since 1991/92, won through to the Final by beating Santos Laguna 5-3 on aggregate. Leading 3-1 from the first-leg, went behind after Oribe Peralta scored after 50 minutes. It didn't take Leon long to reply as ex-Wigan Athletic striker Mauro Boselli scored his fourteenth goal of the campaign. Carlos Pena got a goal with only a minute left to make it interesting, but a penalty from Juan Pablo Rodriguez tied up the tie 2-2 and Leon continue on to the Title game.
The Final will be played over two-Legs, with the First leg on Thursday at Leon while the second leg is on next Sunday at Club America.

What a year it could be for Miguel Herrera, after winning the Clausura and then taking the helm as Mexico boss, and guiding his countrymen to the World Cup Finals in Brazil, he now has an opportunity to cap it all off by winning the Apertura this weekend.

America topped the regular season standings by four points over Santos Laguna with Leon a further three points back. Form wise, Leon are in flying form, seven games unbeaten and scoring plenty of goals, while America have been drawing a lot of games lately. Hosting the first-leg could be crucial for Leon, getting a victory and scoring goals whilst also keeping America out at the other end could be the winning of the Title. If America get a draw or a slender defeat in the first-leg it could be curtains for Leon.


Published by  @gersloveofsport