OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·11 April 2021
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Seamus Leonard·11 April 2021
América secured a quarter-final place in the Liguilla with a deserved win over nine-man Tigres on Saturday.
Scorers: Reyes 62′; Martínez 6′, 69′, Aquino 55′
América gained an early lead after Roger Martínez took advantage of some slack defending to drive into the Tigres area before shooting past goalkeeper Nahuel Guzmán.
Las Águilas doubled their advantage 10 minutes after the break courtesy of a stunning strike from distance by Pedro Aquino.
Matters went from bad to worse for Tigres moments later when Carlos Salcedo was sent off for a second yellow card.
However, the Nuevo León side managed to halve the deficit when Diego Reyes headed home a flicked-on corner.
It was a short-lived revival, though, as Martínez restored América’s two-goal advantage. His goal was initially ruled offside, but a VAR review showed he was clearly onside when the pass was played.
Tigres were then reduced to nine men when Rafael Carioca saw straight red for a dreadful foul on Álvaro Fidalgo.
América will now definitely finish in the top four, thus earning a bye past the first round of the play-offs.
Tigres sit just inside the Liguilla spots in 11th.