Club America (pictured) celebrates after winning the 2014 Liga MX Apertura title on December 14, 2014, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Club America defeated visiting Tigres 3-0 in the second leg of the 2014 Liga MX Apertura final on Sunday to capture a record-breaking 12th domestic title, 3-1 on aggregate.
Michael Arroyo struck in the first half, while Pablo Aguilar and Oribe Peralta added goals on the other side of the break to delight the crowd of 100,000 at the Estadio Azteca.
In a match that saw the ejection of four players – three from Tigres and one from Club America – the host went ahead in the 36th minute.
After gaining possession 40 yards from the Tigres net, Arroyo embarked on a rambling run into the left side of the box and without hesitation executed a stepover to create separation between Hugo Ayala and himself. The Ecuadorian then drilled a left-footed shot past helpless goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman from four-yards out.
The interval did nothing to slow down America, which remained on the attack and increased its advantage.
In the 61st minute, Rubens Sambueza floated a free kick from distance into the right side of the Tigres box. The ball found Aguilar, whose header from nine yards looped over Guzman into the far-side netting to make it 2-0.
That goal seemed to dent Tigres’ spirits as Hernan Dario Burbano (64’), only a minute after coming on as a substitute, and Damian Alvarez (67’) were issued straight red cards in rapid fashion. Burbano got his for denying Miguel Layun a clear scoring opportunity, while Alvarez departed after it appeared that he attempted to punch Ventura Alvarado.
Five minutes later, UANL was down to eight players, when Guzman was shown his second yellow card for tripping Arroyo just inside the box.
Oribe Peralta added an insurance tally in the 78th minute, steering a right-footed effort past substitute goalkeeper Enrique Palos from 18-yards out.
Seconds afterwards, America was reduced to 10 players following Luis Mendoza’s dismissal.
The title is Club America’s second in the last four tournaments, while Tigres’ unbeaten streak ends at 15 games.
Both sides have qualified for the 2015/16 CONCACAF Champions League.
