América dethrones short-handed Tigres in OT, hoists 14th league trophy

After a tense, taut 90 minutes of action, América needed just 35 seconds of overtime to swipe the crown from Tigres’ head.

Julián Quiñones knocked home his own rebound from close range after Diego Reyes badly muffed a clearance attempt inside the box and the Aguilas went on to defeat their Northern rivals 

A minute later, Tigres goalie Nahuel Guzmán got a second yellow card (both in overtime) and sent the defending champs down to nine men. (Sub Raymundo Fulgencio had been shown a red card in minute 80 after lashing out at Quiñones who had muscled him off the ball.)

With that, América ordered staff to start clearing out a spot in the trophy cabinet for the franchise’s 14th Liga MX trophy. Richard Sánchez added the second with a monumental blast in minute 104, and Jonathan Rodríguez capped the coronation with a golazo in minute 120.

The king is dead; long live the king

The outcome – especially as it came in large part due to loss of composure – was a tough pill to swallow for the veteran Tigres squad. 

They had hoped to become just the fourth team to win back-to-back Liga MX titles since the switch to split seasons back in 1996.

“Los felinos” had demonstrated poise for 170 minutes, playing with their typical pragmatism while managing to survive several dangerous América bursts forward.

Guzmán had been magnificent, making four magical saves, including the initial shot by Quiñones early in overtime. Twice in regulation, the enigmatic goalie had denied Diego Valdés of sure goals and his passing out from the back had also posed a threat.

But after Quiñones’ goal, Guzmán lost his cool and he earned a yellow card for his over-the-top histrionics. Minutes later, when he recklessly tackled Quiñones out near midfield, the throne was formally vacated. 

The final 25 minutes of the Final was a full-throated serenade, interrupted at times by a string of “Olé! Olé! Olé!” chants, and.

The Aguilas had been waiting to add to their league-record title haul for five years – América is now two ahead of Guadalajara in the league record books – and the result allows Miguel Layún to retire as a champion.

Layún started and played 76 minutes though he wasn’t as effective as he was on Thursday in the first leg. The 35-year-old leaves with four Liga MX titles, winning three with América (Clausura 2013, Apertura 2014 and this season) and once with Monterrey (Apertura 2019 - and his Rayados defeated the Aguilas in the Final).

For his part, Quiñones now has five championship rings in his jewelry box. The newest member of El Tri won league honors with Tigres (Apertura 2016 and Clausura 2019), Atlas (Apertura 2021 and Clausura 2022) and now in his first season with the Aguilas.