America move on past Necaxa, will face Tigres in Apertura finals

Updated: May 17, 2024, 05:51 am

America and Necaxa observe a minute of silence in memory of those who died in the Chapecoense airline disaster.
America and Necaxa observe a minute of silence in memory of those who died in the Chapecoense airline disaster.
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MEXICO CITY -- Oribe Peralta and William da Silva both scored as America defeated Necaxa 2-0 in the second leg of their 2016 Apertura Liguilla semifinal. The aggregate score ended up at 3-1 in favor of the Mexico City side after last Thursday's 1-1 draw.

The excitement was palpable in the stands with America and Necaxa fans cheering for their clubs to the final whistle. However, the display on the pitch was flat with both teams making careful moves, as if both came to the game with the intention of not losing because of an unwanted mistake.

There were only two shots on goal during the first 45 minutes, and it was Necaxa that almost opened the scoring. Edgar Espindola's header in the 32nd minute hit Moises Munoz's left post, but America's goalkeeper was able to hold onto the ball on the rebound, leaving the stadium frozen in fear for a moment that the hosts would concede.

Necaxa forced Munoz into a couple of important saves to open the second half and kept the score at 0-0. But in the 73rd minute, midfielder William received the ball inside the box and with the tip of his left boot sent in the first goal of the night for Las Aguilas.

Then 10 minutes later, Peralta finished off the series with a goal of his own, his second in the playoffs.

America will face Tigres, who beat Leon in the other semifinal, in the two-legged final. The pairing is a rematch of the 2014 Apertura final, which America won 3-1 on aggregate.

With Club America playing in the Club World Cup from Dec. 8-18, the Apertura final will not begin until Thursday, Dec. 22, with the second leg scheduled for Christmas Day, Dec. 25.