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America hold a slender advantage heading into the second leg of their semifinal with Necaxa after scoring a vital away goal and earning a 1-1 draw.
However, if this match was anything to go by, the return leg in Mexico City will feature two evenly matched sides, and Necaxa will still believe that the final is within reach.
After their upset of Pachuca in the quarterfinals, Necaxa set about attacking their opponents at a rocking Estadio Victoria. The best chance of the first half fell to the home side, and it was only a remarkable save from 36-year-old America goalkeeper Moises Munoz on the stroke of halftime that kept the scores level.
Muñoz se pone el traje de héroe con una gran atajada. https://t.co/oFi8g2ETy3
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) December 2, 2016
In the 63rd minute, Felipe Gallegos gave Necaxa the lead. America attempted to catch the midfielder offside at the edge of the box, but he timed his run to perfection. A beautifully chipped pass from Jesus Isijara found Gallegos racing through and finishing back across the face of goal.
Luis Gallegos adelanta a los "Rayos". https://t.co/TR86VgcSwV
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) December 2, 2016
But Necaxa were nowhere near dominate and America found an equalizer only five minutes later. After a period of sustained pressure, a deflected shot from William fired past a wrong-footed Marcelo Barovero and inside the near post.
William da Silva iguala el duelo en Aguascalientes. https://t.co/YsDyXT1cEo
— Univision Deportes (@UnivisionSports) December 2, 2016
The game would end at 1-1 with America superior in possession, shots and shots on goal statistics. The match also featured eight yellow cards, foreshadowing a rowdy return leg in Mexico City.
The second leg at the Estadio Azteca is set for Sunday, December 4th.
