Chivas come back against America in the second leg of the semifinals 

After having received a spirited visit by their supporters the night before of the second leg of the semifinals of the Clausura 2023, Chivas and America jumped into the pitch of the Azteca Stadium looking to reciprocate the love shown by their fans. Guadalajara needed to win by two goals after losing 1-0 in the first leg.

The game started off intense with both teams looking to damage the rival. The first clear chance came in at the 6’ when Alejandro Zendejas took a long distance shot that went off target. Five minutes later Vega found himself in the box and argued for a penalty, but was correctly not conceded. In the ensuing corner kick, Guadalajara lost the ball and America was able to counterattack with lightning speed. ‘Cabecita’ Rodriguez found himself in front of the keeper, but as he entered the box, he tripped and lost the clearest chance for America up to that point. 

The comeback began

At the 18’ Roberto ‘Piojito’ Alvarado won the ball just outside his box, dribbled past four players and served a beautiful ball to Ronaldo Cisneros, who left the goalie and his defender behind to score the first goal of the night for Guadalajara. At this point Chivas began to play with increasing confidence and assertiveness and would continue to dominate the first half.

Ten minutes before stopping time, Miguel Layun, who keeps showing an impressive form, did what he does best and crossed a ball to Henry Martin, whose shot went a bit off target. That would be the last attempt from America in the first half, playing as if they were the ones out of the final, showing nervousness and lack of precision.

The second half would be different. Guadalajara, who up to that point showed an aggressive style, began to recede back. America got the ball but despite some attempts, couldn’t really pose any real danger. Such was the game at the 57’, almost lacklustre, when Fidalgo got the ball in the last third of the pitch and lobbed a beautiful pass to Diego Valdes, who scored a superb header à la Borgetti in 2002.

Chivas needed two goals and scored 4

Fernando ‘Tano’ Ortiz began to solidify his midfield subbing in midfielders for strikers, as Guadalajara seemed to be almost knocked out after that goal, since suddenly they found themselves in need of two goals again.

Alan Mozo, who had an impressive match, came deep from the right at the 69’ and crossed to Vega, who shot on target, but the ball got deflected on the goalie. The bounce, however, found Ronaldo Cisneros once more who scored a header. The goal would be controversially called off by the VAR and Chivas were once more in an uphill battle.

Five minutes later, Alvarado took a free kick and served in a set piece to Mozo, who found himself quite lonely just outside the box and took an impressive shot low and closer to the right post, far enough for Malagon to not reach the ball.

At this point Chivas were complete masters of the game, particularly after America was left with ten players at the 64’ when Fidalgo childishly fouled a Chivas player in the rival’s half and saw the red card.

At the 82’ Vega and Brizuela knitted a beautiful play that ended up in a cross to Cisneros, who was in front of an empty net, but couldn’t hit the ball correctly and sent it out. Guadalajara kept trying until two minutes before stopping time, when Fernando Beltran crossed the ball and found Jesus ‘Chiquete’ Orozco in the box, who leaped high in the air and headed the ball, again, low and to the right. Impossible to stop for Malagon. Chivas scored the fourth goal of the night, and the third legal one, completing a comeback that will be remembered by America and Chivas fans alike for years to come.

Despite the referee adding nine minutes of extra time, America found themselves completely sterile in their own pitch. It was Chivas, who came closer to the fourth goal, after Brizuela had the last chance of the game that ultimately was not converted. 

Chivas will join Tigres in the final of the Clausura 2023, reenacting the controversial final that they won in 2017, in what was the latest league title of Guadalajara.