The Super Clasico wasn't exactly a well played match, and it certainly wasn't a well refereed match, but Club America were certainly the better side on the road at Estadio Omnilife on Sunday night. They had one good goal disallowed and squandered numerous chances, but eventually found a goal late to grab a deserved 1-0 win over Chivas Guadalajara.
In the first half, referee Marco Antonio Rodriguez disallowed a good goal for each team. 'Chucho' Cristian Benitez had a goal waived off for a non-existent foul in the 20th minute and the exact same thing happened 15 minutes later to Chivas captain Hector Reynoso. The two teams went into halftime scoreless, thanks to officiating mistakes.
The football in the early part of the second half was poor from both teams, though America were very much on the front foot. Even though Chivas are in better form than their rivals and were playing at home, they looked very much like an inferior team, playing on the road. They managed just three shot attempts during the match, while the entire game was played in their half. Backup goalkeeper Victor Hernandez had a very good game for Chivas, making eight saves, but he couldn't save every America shot.
Right back Paul Aguilar finally broke the deadlock in the 85th minute, assisted by budding 20-year-old star Raul Jimenez, who came on as a substitute just four minutes before the goal. He dribbled through traffic in the center of the pitch before slotting a pass to the right wing for Aguilar to run onto. Even though everyone expected a cross, the America fullback opted to shoot. He somehow put his shot through two Chivas defenders, hitting the back of the net at the far post. Hernandez was screened by his teammates and had almost no chance to make a save.
Reynoso capped off a terrible night perfectly for Chivas, getting sent off in stoppage time. America are now very comfortably in the top eight places, and have a good chance to secure a top four spot for a first round Liguilla tiebreaker. Chivas are now almost out of the running for Liguilla. They're five points back of eighth place with three rounds to go.
For more on the Super Clasico and all of Mexican football, head over to FMF State Of Mind. We'll have coverage before, during, and after the game in our Chivas Vs. America, 2012 Super Clasico StoryStream.


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