Club America celebrates after winning the 2015-16 Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League title. (Photo: Mexsport)
MEXICO CITY – Club America secured its second straight Scotiabank CONCACAF Champions League title, earning a 2-1 win over Tigres on Wednesday in the second leg of the final at the Estadio Azteca to capture the series 4-1 on aggregate.
Andre-Pierre Gignac gave the visitor a 1-0 lead in the latter stages of the first half, but the Aguilas struck twice after the break through Michael Arroyo and Osvaldo Martinez.
As a result of the triumph, Club America booked a place in the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup, moved ahead of Cruz Azul for the most CONCACAF club titles with seven and equaled Monterrey for the longest unbeaten streak in tournament history at 13 games.
Tigres halved the aggregate deficit in the 39th minute off a pinball-like sequence in the right side of the Club America box. Goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez saved an initial shot by Rafael Sobis, but the ball ricocheted off defender Paolo Goltz, who missed on an attempted clearance. It fell perfectly for Sobis, allowing him time to send a pass from the goal line to the penalty spot, where Gignac first-timed a right-footed effort into the lower left corner.
Arroyo knotted the score in the 68th minute with his team-high fifth goal of the competition. After receiving a long diagonal pass on the left, the Ecuador international cut inside, evaded three defenders and unleashed a ferocious right-footed shot from 30 yards. Goalkeeper Nahuel Guzman's dive proved futile as the ball skipped once off the turf before nestling inside the right post.
The host’s victory was assured 19 minutes later, when Osvaldo Martinez ripped a penalty kick into the left side of the goal after Hugo Ayala took down Miguel Samudio on the left edge of the penalty area.
Club America became the first team in the eight SCCL editions to win both legs of the final.
VIDEO: Club America vs Tigres U.A.N.L. Highlights
