Santos and America serve up thrilling semi
Reuters - Monday 29 November 2010, 03:17
MEXICO CITY, Nov 28 (Reuters) - Ten-man Santos Laguna drew
3-3 with America in a dramatic Mexican Apertura championship
semi-final second leg to go through 5-4 on aggregate on Sunday.
Santos went ahead three times in the match and the
visiting Eagles pulled level three times but were unable to
muster a deciding fourth goal as they played against 10 men
for the final 20 minutes.
Defender Felipe Baloy was sent off for holding back a
forward by his shirt, his second bookable offence, with the
score 2-2.
Ecuadorean Cristian Benitez put 10-man Santos 3-2 up with
a superb shot from the middle of the box in the 74th minute.
However, Enrique Esqueda's diving header at close quarters
with five minutes remaining plus four added made for a
nail-biting finish for fans of both sides in a packed Nuevo
Estadio Corona in Torreon.
The scoring began early with two-goal Colombian striker
Darwin Quintero putting Santos ahead in the second minute.
Uruguayan Vicente Sanchez equalised with a well placed
free-kick on the hour but from the restart, Quintero raced
into the America box on the right and rifled a shot high into
the net between keeper Guillermo Ochoa and his left hand post.
America, one of Mexico's biggest and most successful clubs
who had surprisingly lost the first leg 2-1 at their Azteca
home in the capital, equalised again in the 66th.
Argentine-born former Santos and Mexico striker Matias
Vuoso leapt feet forward to get a touch and turn a waist-high
left cross into the net.
The match was an example of the entertainment to be had in
Mexican football with two teams totally committed to attack
and plenty of goalmouth action.
Build-up was quick rather than elaborate and there was a
string of missed chances and good saves by Ochoa and opposite
number Oswaldo Sanchez.
Santos go into the final, played over two legs this coming
week, against the winners of the other semi-final between
Pumas UNAM and Monterrey who drew 0-0 in the first leg in
Mexico City on Thursday.