On Wednesday night, CF Monterrey delivered a clinical performance to defeat Club América 2-0 in the first leg of the Liga MX Apertura QuarterfinalsEstadio BBVA, leaving the defending champions on the brink of elimination. The match, played at 22:05 local time in Monterrey, Nuevo León, ended with a stunning long-range strike from Sergio Canales just before halftime and a deflected header in the 70th minute that may or may not have been a goal — depending on which stats site you trust. Either way, Club América now faces a near-impossible task: overturning a two-goal deficit at the Estadio Azteca on Saturday.
First Half: Tension, Controversy, and a Moment of Brilliance
The match exploded out of the gate. In the second minute, Germán Berterame nearly opened the scoring after a pinpoint cross from Canales, but Club América goalkeeper Andrés Malagón pulled off a reflex save that drew gasps from the crowd. Tensions flared by the 16th minute when Jesús "Tecatito" Corona tangled with Álvaro Fidalgo, earning a yellow card — and nearly a red. VAR reviewed it, and the referee let it slide. Moments later, América’s Gerardo Arteaga went down in the box under minimal contact. No penalty. The frustration was mounting on both sides. Then, in the 45th minute plus three, everything changed. Canales, standing just outside the penalty area, took a quick touch and unleashed a curling left-footed shot that kissed the top corner of the net. The stadium erupted. Fans in blue and gold had waited years for moments like this — and now they had one. It wasn’t just a goal; it was a statement. América, who’d won the last two meetings in late 2024, looked shell-shocked.Second Half: Pressure, Near Misses, and a Deflected Miracle
The second half was all Monterrey. They pressed high, disrupted América’s rhythm, and kept the ball in the attacking third. In the 53rd minute, Tecatito delivered another dangerous cross — this time to Berterame, who was alone in front. He fired. It went wide. The crowd groaned. América’s best chance came in the 57th minute when Brian Rodríguez pounced on a loose ball in the box, but his shot ballooned over the bar. It was their last real opportunity. Then, the 70th minute. A corner kick from Monterrey’s left flank. Fidel Ambríz rose high, connecting cleanly with the ball. But as it sailed toward the net, América’s center-back Igor Lichnovsky got a desperate touch — and sent it past his own keeper. The referee waved it off. Sofascore credited Ambríz with the goal. Soyfutbol called it an own goal. The official match report hasn’t been finalized. It doesn’t matter. The net was still in the back of the net. Substitutions followed in quick succession. América brought on Víctor Dávila and Brandon Rodríguez in the 71st minute, hoping for a spark. Monterrey responded with Érick Aguirre and Iker Fimbres, sealing their defensive shape. By full time, the scoreboard read 2-0 — and the mood in Monterrey was electric.
Numbers Don’t Lie — But They Don’t Tell the Whole Story
Statistically, it was a tight contest. Monterrey held 51% possession, registered nine shots (two big chances), and had an xG of 0.61. América had slightly higher expected goals (0.76) and two big chances of their own. But numbers don’t capture the weight of that Canales strike, or the panic that followed Lichnovsky’s deflection. América’s defense, once rock-solid, looked brittle. Their midfield, led by Lucas Ocampos and Richard Sánchez, was overrun. And their forwards — Henry Martín and Diego Valdés — were starved of service. Monterrey’s lineup, anchored by veteran Héctor Moreno and the tireless Fidel Ambríz, played with discipline. Their midfield trio of Canales, Corona, and Óliver Torres controlled tempo. América’s defense, meanwhile, was disorganized. Jorge Sánchez looked out of position. Sebastián Cáceres struggled with aerial duels. And Lichnovsky’s own goal wasn’t just a mistake — it was symbolic of a team unraveling under pressure.The Second Leg: A Mountain to Climb
Now, América must travel to the Estadio Azteca on Saturday, November 29, 2025, needing to win by at least three goals to avoid extra time. Win by two? They’ll force overtime. Win by one? They’re out. Even a 3-0 win wouldn’t be enough if Monterrey scores away. It’s not just difficult — it’s nearly impossible. History isn’t on their side. Only once in Liga MX knockout history has a team come back from a two-goal deficit in the first leg to advance — and that was in 2018. América hasn’t won a knockout tie at Azteca since 2021. And Monterrey? They’ve lost just once in their last 12 home matches in the playoffs. Adding to the drama: Sergio Canales is in contract talks with Monterrey, and his deal expires at year’s end. This performance wasn’t just a statement to América — it was a message to his own club’s management. He’s playing like a man who wants to stay.
What’s at Stake Beyond the Semifinals
The winner of this tie will face either Tigres UANL or Toluca in the semifinals. Toluca, the defending Apertura champions, are still in the hunt — and they’d love to see América fall. A Monterrey win would mean a rematch of last year’s final, a chance for revenge and a shot at back-to-back titles. For América, elimination would mean their first Apertura without a semifinal since 2020 — a shocking collapse for a club that’s won 14 league titles. The pressure on América’s coach, Ricardo Ferretti, is now unbearable. His tactical adjustments in the second leg will be scrutinized. Will he push forward? Risk the counter? Can he get the best out of Brian Rodríguez and Henry Martín? Or will his team collapse under the weight of expectation?Frequently Asked Questions
Can Club América still advance after losing 2-0 at home?
Yes — but only under extreme conditions. América must win the second leg by at least three goals to advance outright. A 3-1 win would force extra time, and a 2-0 win would eliminate them. Given Monterrey’s defensive discipline and home advantage, even a 3-0 win feels unlikely. The last time a Liga MX team overcame a two-goal deficit in a two-legged knockout tie was in 2018, when León beat Tigres 3-0 away after losing 2-0 at home.
Why is the own goal controversy significant?
The goal’s attribution matters for individual records — Fidel Ambríz would reach double-digit goals for the season if credited, while Igor Lichnovsky would have his first own goal of the campaign. More importantly, it reflects the chaos of the moment. América’s defense was so disorganized that even a well-placed header became a disaster. The confusion underscores how much pressure Monterrey applied, forcing errors rather than just scoring.
How has Sergio Canales performed this season?
Sergio Canales has been Monterrey’s offensive engine, scoring nine goals in 14 appearances this Apertura — tied for the team lead. His long-range strike in the 45'+3 minute was his 12th goal from outside the box since joining in 2023. He’s also provided five assists, making him one of Liga MX’s most complete midfielders. With his contract expiring in December, this performance could be his final statement for the club.
What’s the historical edge between Monterrey and América?
In their last five meetings, Monterrey has won three, América two. But the trend is shifting: Monterrey won 1-0 in April 2025 and 2-0 in this first leg. América’s last wins came in late 2024 — both 2-1 — but since then, they’ve drawn 1-1 in December and 2-2 in September. Monterrey has now won three of the last four playoff encounters, including the 2023 Clausura semifinals. The psychological edge is clearly tilting.
Who’s the key player to watch in the second leg?
For América, it’s Brian Rodríguez. He’s scored seven goals this season and has the pace to exploit Monterrey’s high defensive line. For Monterrey, it’s Jesús Corona — his crosses have created all three goals in the last two matches. If he can deliver from the flank again, América’s backline won’t survive. The second leg will come down to whether América can contain him — and whether Monterrey can avoid complacency.
What happens if Monterrey wins the second leg?
If Monterrey wins the second leg, they’ll reach the semifinals for the third time in four Apertura tournaments. They’d face either Tigres UANL or Toluca, the defending champions. A win there would put them in the final — and potentially on track for their first back-to-back titles since 2009-10. For a club that’s been a powerhouse but often falls short in the final, this could be their most legitimate shot in over a decade.
