America and Chivas tie in a wonderful edition of the Superclasico

America and Chivas lived up to expectations as they gave an exciting edition of the Superclasico that ended with a 2-2 tie. Chivas dominated the first half and America the 2nd, as they gave another exciting edition of the biggest match in Liga MX, that lived to their expectations. The tie meant Chivas failed to get back first place in Liga MX, as Toluca remains on top while America sits in third place for the time being. Chivas will be hosting Queretaro on Monday while America travels north to face Necaxa in a match where they both will miss two players because of the NT activity.

The 1st half started with America surprising by going with Miguel Vasquez and Emilio Lara at Central defense. Meanwhile Chivas surprised by going more defensive and sitting Hugo Camberos while Richard Ledezma got the start. Off a free kick, Brian Rodriguez got off a right footed shot that went wide. Bryan Alonso Gonzalez would win a ball and get into the area where he got off a right footed shot that would force a great save from America’s goalkeeper, Rodolfo Cota. Israel Reyes got off a right footed shot from outside the area that Chivas’ goalkeeper, Raul Rangel, would save. Roberto Alvarado would answer with a left footed shot from way outside the area that Cota would make a good save on. Off a corner kick, Alonso Gonzalez would eventually get off a left footed shot that was deflected wide. Off that corner kick, the cross into the area would be just out of reach of two Chivas’ attacker. A cross into the area would find a wide open Bryan Alonso Gonzalez, who got off a great diving header past Cota to score and give Chivas the 1-0 lead. It was a great header but America had done terribly in leaving him wide open. Off a counter, the ball would fall to Omar Govea, who would get off a right footed shot from outside the area that went just wide. Alvarado would once again get off a left footed shot from outside the area that would force a save from Cota. A cross into the area would be just out of reach of Santiago Sandoval, who would have gotten a close range chance had he gotten to it. A cross into the area was brilliantly headed by Sandoval but Cota came up with a big save. Unfortunately for him, the deflected ball fell into the path of Ricardo Marin, who flicked the ball into the empty net to score (although it would be given as an own goal by Miguel Vasquez) and give Chivas the 2-0 lead. The halftime whistle blew and Chivas had a great lead which was also deserved.

The 2nd half started surprisingly with no substitution from Club America. A cross into the area was just out of reach of Sandoval. America subbed out Alan Cervantes and Alejandro Zendejas for Erick Sanchez and Oscar Perea. The TV broadcast showed that both Cervantes and Zendejas threw tantrums when they got to the bench in something that might be a problem later on for America. Chivas would have to subbed out an injured Bryan Alonso Gonzalez for Efrain Alvarez. America had control of the possession and tried to attack but had few ideas and created no chances. Chivas subbed out Ricardo Marin for Angel Sepulveda. America subbed out Raphael Veiga for Miguel Borja. A cross into the area was beyond marvelously volleyed by a bicycle kick from Miguel Borja and it went past Rangel to score one of the greatest goals in the history of the Superclasico and place things at 2-1. It was a phenomenal goal that should be among the Puskas candidate for the top goals of the year in World Football. Minutes later, the ball would go into the area where Henry Martin tried to get off a shot but fooled Chivas’ defense by passing it to Miguel Borja, who got off a shot past Rangel to score and tie the match at 2-2. Borja had completely changed the match and gotten America to tie the match. Chivas would answer with a longball into the area that Sandoval would get to and get off a shot that hit the post. Chivas subbed out Santiago Sandoval, Richard Ledezma and Daniel Aguirre for Luis Rey, Jonathan Perez and Hugo Camberos. Cristian Borja got the ball in the area and got off a shot that forced a great save from Rangel and the ball was left there before being cleared by Chivas’ defense. The match had completely turned around and it was now America who were dominating while Chivas struggled mightily. Off a corner kick, the ball would be deflected to Martin, whose close range shot was blocked by Chivas’ defense. America subbed out Henry Martin and Dagoberto Espinoza for Carlos Alvarez and Edwin Cerrillo. Off a corner kick, the cross into the area would be headed into the path of Vasquez, who headed it wide from close range. After getting into the area, Rodriguez looked to be tripped and although he asked for a PK, the foul was correctly given outside the area. Off the free kick, the ball would eventually fall to Alvarez, and his shot would be just deflected wide. Perea would get off a shot from outside the area that went wide. The whistle blew and a wonderful edition of the Superclasico came to the end with a 2-2 tie.

For a 2nd consecutive week, Club America had to fight back after trailing in a Clasico. Although they fell short last Saturday, when they lost 4-3 against Cruz Azul, this time they were able to get the tie. Chivas looked overly superior and with a 2-0 lead at halftime, they were dominating and heading for a solid victory. But like against Cruz Azul, America fought back and changed things completely. Chivas went for a likely victory in the first half to a lucky tie in the 2nd after America battled hard to change things. Chivas will need to bounce back at home when they face off against Queretaro on Saturday while America will have a tough away match against Necaxa.