In a thrilling final Club América clinched the Campeones Cup title with a 5-4 penalty shootout victory over the Columbus Crew. The night belonged to América’s goalkeeper, Luis Ángel Malagón, who delivered a heroic performance, stopping three penalties to seal the victory after the match ended 1-1 in regulation.
For América, this victory was not just a trophy win; it was a redemptive moment. The club had been haunted by penalty shootouts, particularly in the two editions of the Leagues Cup, where they faced elimination in similar circumstances.
This time, however, they rewrote the script. The win also marked a significant achievement for head coach André Jardine, who celebrated his first international title since taking charge of the Águilas, further solidifying his legacy at the club.
Penalty Shootout Drama
The penalty shootout was a rollercoaster of emotions. Club América’s Richard Sánchez and Ramón Juárez missed their attempts, but the heroics of Malagón came through at crucial moments. He denied Alexandru Mățan on the Crew’s second penalty and then produced two back-to-back saves, stopping Aziel Jackson and Malte Amundsen to secure the 5-4 victory.
Tense Battle in Regulation Time
The match itself was a hard-fought contest. In the first half, Club América dominated possession and created more chances, though they struggled to capitalize on their opportunities. Alejandro Zendejas squandered a golden chance in the 25th minute, failing to control a perfect pass from Brian Rodríguez when a first-time shot might have been the better option.
Columbus, on the other hand, found themselves on the defensive for much of the first half, with Cucho Hernández and Diego Rossi unable to make an impact early on.
However, as the half progressed, the Crew began to assert themselves. Cucho Hernández came close to breaking the deadlock in the 40th minute with a powerful shot that grazed the outside of the post. Just moments later, Rossi nearly scored on a counterattack, only for Malagón to pull off a remarkable save.
Second Half Comeback and Equalizer
The second half saw Columbus continue their attacking intent, with Christian Ramírez testing Malagón once again in the 58th minute. But Club América quickly responded, with Álvaro Fidalgo coming close to giving his team the lead a minute later, only for the Crew goalkeeper to make an excellent save.
In the 61st minute, Jardine made a trio of substitutions that changed the game. Diego Valdés, Rodrigo Aguirre, and Víctor Dávila came on for Zendejas, Henry Martín, and Brian Rodríguez, respectively.
The impact was immediate. Just seven minutes later, Dávila scored a stunning goal after receiving a long pass from Fidalgo, driving through the defense and slotting it past the Columbus keeper to give América a 1-0 lead.
But Columbus was not done. In the 77th minute, the Crew found their equalizer. A corner from Rossi was headed across goal by Christian Ramírez, and Malte Amundsen was there to tap it in, making it 1-1 and sending the game to a penalty shootout.
Malagón’s Moment of Glory
When it came to penalties, the pressure was intense, but Malagón stood tall. His three saves were the difference, delivering Club América their first Campeones Cup title and adding another chapter to the club’s storied history.
With this victory, Club América not only took home the trophy but also erased the bitter memories of past penalty heartbreaks. The win underlines the team’s determination and resilience, setting a high bar for the remainder of the season.
Final Score:
- América 1-1 Columbus Crew (América wins 5-4 on penalties)
Key Performers:
- Luis Ángel Malagón: The hero of the night, with three crucial penalty saves.
- Víctor Dávila: Scored América’s only goal during regular time.
- Christian Ramírez and Malte Amundsen: Combined for Columbus’ equalizer.
Club América’s triumph in the Campeones Cup adds to their already impressive list of achievements and leaves fans excited for what’s to come in the André Jardine era.
