Águilas secures a ticket to its sixth women's final

▲ América celebrates yesterday's 2-0 win over Guadalajara at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium. Photo by Luis Castillo

Karla Torrijos

La Jornada Newspaper, Monday, May 5, 2025, p. a12

América took a big step toward its third Liga MX Femenil title after becoming the first finalist of the 2025 Clausura tournament, defeating Chivas 2-0 in the national derby corresponding to the second leg of the semifinals, played yesterday at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium.

After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, the Eagles advanced in the title race with a 4-2 aggregate score.

The Coapa squad's goals were scored by Kiana Palacios, at minute 45+2, and Angelique Saldívar (48).

The blue-and-cream team dominated the ball from the start of the match and began to threaten the opposing goal with attempts from Scarlett Camberos, Saldívar, and Palacios; however, the strong performance of red-and-white goalkeeper Celeste Espino prevented them from opening the scoring in the opening minutes.

For its part, the Guadalajara squad, led by Spanish coach Antonio Contreras, was unable to trouble home goalkeeper Sandra Paños, who was unable to create any danger in the American penalty area.

Atletico's striker Alicia Cervantes was completely neutralized by the América defense, so she was unable to do any damage. The home side's momentum finally paid off in the final minutes of the first half, at 45+2, when Palacios received a pass in the box from her teammate Irene Guerrero and, after controlling the ball with her chest, finished with her left foot to make it 1-0 before halftime.

In the second half, América didn't let up and quickly created a dangerous play after Camberos, from the left wing, sent the ball into the center of the box, where Saldívar appeared to tap it into the back of the net and make it 2-0 in the 48th minute.

The goal lifted the more than 24,000 fans from their seats and completely crushed the hopes of the visitors, who were still unable to break down the Azulcrema defense.

In the 68th minute, tempers flared after Camberos and the red-and-white player, Kinberly Guzmán, got into a fight after hitting each other during a play, which resulted in a yellow card for both players. In the final stretch, both teams continued trying to invade the opposing goal, but the scoreboard remained unchanged, and the Águilas secured their spot in their sixth Liga MX Femenil final.

The second leg of the other semifinal, between Monterrey and Pachuca, will take place today at Hidalgo Stadium, where the Rayadas will have a slight advantage after winning 1-0 in the first leg.