Liga MX Final America vs Rayados

America takes the historic three-time championship.
Rayados faced the super champion.
André Jardine asked for total concentration.

América arrives with a 2-1 advantage over Rayados for the second leg final of Apertura 2024, played at the BBVA Stadium.

The Águilas seek to become the first team to achieve a three-time championship in short tournaments, while Monterrey, with the support of its fans, will try to come back and achieve its sixth league title.

Led by André Jardine, the azulcremas depend on any tie to be crowned, something they have not achieved since the 1980s, when they won three consecutive titles between 1983 and 1985.

However, the Brazilian coach has asked his players for full concentration, recognizing how difficult it will be to play as visitors in Monterrey, according to AP.

THIS IS HOW THE STRIPED ARRIVED

For their part, the Rayados, under the direction of Argentine Martín Demichelis, need to win by two goals in regulation time or by one to force extra time.

Demichelis was optimistic and highlighted the importance of the support of his fans in the Steel Giant. “We are respectful, they are the two-time champion for a reason, but we will be a suffocating Rayados. By winning a game, we will be champions,” said the strategist.

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The match, which promises to be vibrant from start to finish, could define the destiny of two historic teams in Mexican soccer, according to AP.

The absence of striker Lucas Ocampos due to injury will be an additional challenge for Monterrey, which will have to find offensive variants to overcome the solid American defense.

SECOND GOAL OF THE MATCH, BUT THE GAME ENDS

The goal of hope!@Rayados He clings to life with this goal from Rojas.

A dramatic closing is coming!@Rayados 1-1 @ClubAmerica #OurParty. pic.twitter.com/R61PK858rf

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) December 16, 2024

The Apertura 2024 final between América and Rayados lit up in the final stretch. Johan Rojas appeared in the 84th minute to restore hope to Monterrey with a goal that tied the score 1-1 at the BBVA Stadium.

América maintained its advantage for much of the match, with a great goal from Richard Sánchez in the first half, but Rayados never stopped insisting.

The Mexican soccer final ended in spectacular fashion.

America was crowned the new champion of Mexican football.

Goalkeeper Luis Ángel Malagón maintained the American advantage with key saves, catching crosses and controlling Rayados’ attempts.

However, Monterrey’s pressure ended up paying off, and Johan Rojas, coldly, beat the American goalkeeper to equalize the match.

Now, with time running out, Monterrey needs one more goal to force overtime and keep its title aspirations alive.

Meanwhile, America seeks to resist and secure the historic three-time championship in foreign territory.

FIRST GOAL OF THE MATCH

35′ THE LORD OF THE FINALS!@richardsanchez He has 3 goals in title games:
vs. Striped 2019
vs. Tigers 2023
vs. Striped 2024@Rayados 0-1 @ClubAmerica #OurParty.

Info: @osigs pic.twitter.com/zi4XsKPN3G

— Liga BBVA MX (@LigaBBVAMX) December 16, 2024

América took the lead in the second leg final of Apertura 2024 thanks to a great goal from Richard Sánchez in the 24th minute.

The Paraguayan midfielder culminated a collective play with a powerful shot that left the Rayados goalkeeper with no options, making the score at BBVA Stadium 0-1.

Moments before, in the 18th minute, an América goal was disallowed for offside, maintaining the tension in the match.

However, the insistence of the Águilas bore fruit with the «great strike» of Sánchez, who once again proves to be decisive in title matches.

Sánchez, nicknamed the «Lord of the Finals», has three goals in duels for the championship, highlighting in 2019 against Rayados, in 2023 against Tigres and now in this series against Monterrey.

For its part, Rayados was close to the tie, but Luis Ángel Malagón, an American goalkeeper, appeared with a spectacular save in the 27th minute, avoiding the tie and consolidating himself as one of the figures of the match.

América, led by André Jardine, seeks to hold on to this advantage to achieve the three-time championship.

The above, while Monterrey will have to react quickly to stay alive in the final.