MEXICO CITY — Club América struck the first blow in the Liga MX 2016 Torneo Clausura semifinal round, defeating Monterrey 1-0 at Estadio Azteca with an inspired Hugo González tending América’s goal.
At least three saves by González could be considered exceptional, keeping the team’s frame at zero, while las Águila’s Paraguayan Osvaldo Martínez, at 47 minutes, scored the only goal in a match that was expected to be tightly contested.
The team hopes to continue the show Saturday at the new Rayados’ Estadio BBVA Bancomer in Monterrey.
The duel began with tension and intense competition, each team with their arguments. The excellent goalkeeping on both sides only added to players’ frustration.
For Monterrey, down 1-0 in the aggregate score, very much remains in competition for advancing to the Clausura tournament finals, to face either León or Pechuca, who begin the first leg of their competition Thursday night.
Los Rayados and las Águilas meet again Saturday to settle the duel at 8:30 p.m.