America gains huge upper hand over Tigres in CONCACAF Champs Lge

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Goals from Dario Benedetto and Osvaldo Martinez handed Club America a 2-0 victory away over Tigres on Wednesday in the first leg of the CONCACAF Champions League (CCL) final.

Benedetto finished from close range in the 49th minute for the reigning CCL champions, after a delicately lofted pass from Osvaldo Martinez, while Martinez struck from 25 yards in second-half injury time.

The second leg of the final is next Wednesday in Estadio Azteca, with the winner over the two games representing CONCACAF at the Club World Cup in Japan next December.

Tigres hogged possession (69 percent over the 90 minutes) but didn't create many clear opportunities and looked vulnerable against America on the counter.

The home team's best opportunity came when Israel Jimenez put Mexico international Javier Aquino through on goal in the 33rd, but the winger lofted his shot over the crossbar.

Andres Andrade thought he had scored America's second when he stroked the ball into the goal from 40 yards in the 57th, with Argentine international goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman stranded outside his goal.

TV replays showed Andrade was still in his own half when Oribe Peralta played the pass, but the goal was called back for offside.

Tigres fell flat in front of a packed Estadio Universitario and France international Andre-Pierre Gignac had a difficult night with little service.

Liga MX clubs made up all four semifinalists in the competition and have won the past 10 editions of the tournament.