America beat Xolos 3-1 in Giovani dos Santos’ Estadio Azteca debut.
Aguilas de America continue to look strong in Liga MX despite losing goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin to Porto FC.
First Half:
Xolos kicked off the game by nearly scoring a goal in the 3rd minute. Ariel Nahuelpan took a shot from outside the box, and goalkeeper Oscar Jimenez stopped it but was not able to secure the ball. That allowed Xolos midfielder Washington Camacho to take another chance but did not find the net.
Minutes later, America answered with a shot from striker Nicolas Castillo that hit the right post. The continued to have small chances from both sides throughout the first half. However, America was the team that was creating more opportunities as they continued to attack and press the Xolos defense.
Xolos goalkeeper Manuel Lajud had an amazing save in the 26th minute. The ball ricochet from his defender and was still able to slide and make a save to keep the score 0-0.
In the 33rd minute, Lajud stops another one-on-one that could have resulted in a penalty kick. He came out to close in on Nicolas Castillo but ends up banging him on his knee. The referee did not award a penalty kick and seems like the team from the border got away with one.
Giovani dos Santos came in before the half and got the fans rallied. They seemed very excited to see the newest Club America member play at home for the first time.
The referee added about 6 minutes of stoppage time in the first half, which allowed America to get another chance to score. There was a push inside the box that Xolos got away with once again. It seemed like an evident push, but the referee decided not to award the penalty, and the teams went to lockers with a 0-0 tie.
Second Half:
America began the second half with a shot on goal from Paul Aguilar that hit the side of the net. The team from Mexico City played a stronger second half as they continue to attack Xolos and had control of the game. In minute 74, Guido Rodriguez took a powerful shot from outside the box to score a golazo to give Las Aguilas the 1-0 lead.
Just a few minutes after, America defender Victor Aguilera lost the ball and allowed Xolos striker Camilo Sanvezzo to dribble and score another golazo. This goal gave Tijuana momentum to stay alive in the game.
In the 86th minute, Giovani dos Santos dribbled passed three Xolos defender and passed the ball to a wide-open Renato Ibarra to make it a 2-1 game.
The goal seemed to have sealed-the-deal for America, but there would be more. Giovani dos Santos makes a remarkable run and chips the ball over Lajud to secure an America win with a 3-1 score. The goal was Gio’s first goal with the club and got fans in Estadio Azteca pumped up. Scoring the goal was a special moment for Gio as he was able to do so in front of the America fans.
Man of the Match:
Giovani dos Santos performed incredibly by scoring a goal and handing out an assist in only roughly 45 minutes of play. He helped America secure another win and will hope to continue his streak against Toluca next Sunday, August 11th.
