Atlanta United Defeats Las Aguilas 3-2 In Thrilling Campeones Cup Match!
Atlanta United defeated Club America, 3-2 in the 2nd edition of the Campeones Cup, featuring the champion of the previous MLS Season and the Campeon de Campeones of the Liga MX.
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Las Águilas equalized the game just eight minutes later after Renato Ibarra sent a blazing shot over Atlanta United’s goalkeeper Alec Kann, that hit the top crossbar into the net for the 1-1 tie in the 13th minute.
Atlanta had an opportunity to take the lead heading into the half after the referee awarded them a penalty kick, but Oscar Jimenez and Club America’s goalkeeper coach had studied Atlanta’s Josef Martinez penalty kicks and were well prepared, as Jimenez blocked the Venezuelan striker’s attempt in the 41st minute.
In the 57th minute, Las Aguilas claimed the 2-1 lead on a Renato Ibarra corner kick that found alone Roger Martinez who merely kicked the ball towards goal and a defender tried to clear the ball at the goal line but it was ruled the ball had already crossed the line.
Club America’s lead did not very long, two minutes later, Jeff Larentowicz sent a thunderous shot from outside the 18-yard box, slightly deflecting by an America defender and went past Jimenez for the 2-2 tie in the 59th minute.
Atlanta pressured Las Aguilas the entire game, having America back on their heels for most of the game, and in the second half, it paid dividends as they were awarded a second controversial penalty kick in the 64th minute after a sliding tackle by Guido Rodriguez brought down Florentin Pogba in the box.
This time Josef Martinez did not miss as Oscar Jimenez held his ground and waited until Martinez made his trademark jump before his penalty kick to lunge to his right, but Martinez lifted the ball just enough to get it over Jimenez and give Atlanta United the 3-2 victory and make them the winners of the 2019 Campeones Cup.
