América inches closer to playoff berth with big Mazatlán win

The powerful duo of Henry Martín and Rodrigo Aguirre showcased Club América’s scoring prowess in a dominant 5-0 victory over Mazatlán, boosting their chances of bypassing the Play-In round and securing a direct spot in the Liguilla. After a slow start to the tournament, América’s recent form is fueling ambitions to defend their title and aim for an elusive championship three-peat.

Coming into the match, Mazatlán was one of the strongest defensive teams in the Liga MX Apertura 2024, having conceded only 13 goals. But América, the reigning champions, unleashed their full attacking arsenal, putting on their most comprehensive display of the season and sending a clear message to the rest of the league.

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A Quick Breakthrough for América

Mazatlán initially held their ground, managing to withstand América’s high-pressure play for the opening minutes. They attempted to build possession from the back and were cautious to avoid any early lapses. However, América’s relentless attacks soon paid off, and the scoreboard reflected their dominance starting in the 25th minute. Brian Rodríguez, positioned deep, delivered a precise through ball to Rodrigo Aguirre. Outmaneuvering Mazatlán’s defense, Aguirre received the pass and set up Henry Martín for the night’s opening goal.

With the first goal in hand, América grew more confident, and their teamwork only intensified. The tandem of Alejandro Zendejas and Brian Rodríguez proved too much for Mazatlán’s defense to handle. In a smooth combination play, Zendejas allowed a pass to roll through to Aguirre, who capitalized with a clinical finish, doubling América’s lead at the 30-minute mark.

Sealing the Win by Halftime

The game quickly slipped out of Mazatlán’s control. Just five minutes after América’s second goal, Mazatlán’s defense faltered under pressure. Alejandro Zendejas initiated a header, battling Hugo González for control. The ball eventually found its way to Brian Rodríguez at the far post, who tapped it in with ease to make it 3-0. This goal highlighted América’s total command of the match, as they effectively dismantled a Mazatlán defense that had been one of the toughest in the league up to this point.

Mazatlán coach Víctor Vucetich attempted to spark a comeback by introducing Nicolás Benedetti and Rodolfo Pizarro shortly before halftime. However, their impact was minimal, as América continued to exploit Mazatlán’s vulnerabilities. Just before the break, Cristian Borja delivered a pinpoint cross to Henry Martín, who scored his second goal of the evening, giving América an unassailable 4-0 lead heading into halftime.

América Keeps Control in the Second Half

The second half saw Mazatlán make a more concerted effort to push forward and create scoring opportunities. They briefly unsettled América’s defense, with Malagón, América’s goalkeeper, making several key saves. Mazatlán’s closest scoring chance came in the 66th minute when Rodolfo Pizarro whipped in a cross to Roberto Meráz, whose header narrowly missed the target. Just a minute later, Nico Benedetti fired a long-range shot, forcing Malagón into a difficult save, showing a glimpse of the fight that Mazatlán had hoped to bring to the match from the outset.

Despite Mazatlán’s brief resurgence, América never lost control of the game. The final blow came from a set-piece in the 75th minute. After a well-executed corner, Diego Valdés set up Israel Reyes, who smashed a powerful header past the goalkeeper, sealing América’s dominant 5-0 triumph.

Key Takeaways

  • América’s Resurgence: América’s commanding performance underscores their ability to compete at the highest level as they approach the end of the regular season. With 24 points, they now sit in sixth place, putting pressure on Pumas and Atlético San Luis, who must win their upcoming matches to knock América out of the direct Liguilla spots.
  • Mazatlán’s Defensive Struggles: Despite their strong defensive reputation, Mazatlán struggled to contain América’s dynamic attacking plays. Their usually solid backline fell apart, with a series of defensive errors that allowed América to capitalize repeatedly.
  • Standout Players: Henry Martín and Rodrigo Aguirre were instrumental in América’s success, combining well to unlock Mazatlán’s defense. Brian Rodríguez and Alejandro Zendejas also contributed heavily, demonstrating the depth of América’s offensive talent.

Upcoming Challenges

With this victory, América has shown they are more than capable of securing a top-six finish, avoiding the riskier Play-In stage altogether. Their next games will be crucial as they push to maintain or even improve their standing. Mazatlán, on the other hand, will need to regroup and address the defensive lapses that cost them heavily in this match if they hope to stay competitive in the remaining games.

As the regular season draws to a close, América’s form is peaking at the right time, and their dominant display against Mazatlán will undoubtedly send a strong signal to potential playoff rivals. The defending champions have made it clear they are not ready to relinquish their title and are firmly in the hunt for a historic third consecutive championship.

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