America Finally Defeats Monterrey In Closing Round Of Mexican Apertura

In an exciting match that marked the end of Week 14 in the Mexican Apertura 2024, Club América managed to clinch a thrilling 2-1 victory over Monterrey, thanks to a last-minute goal by Spanish midfielder Álvaro Fidalgo. Held at the Ciudad de los Deportes stadium in Mexico City, this match saw América secure three points, keeping their hopes alive in the tournament.

The game started with both teams displaying determination and skill, each vying for control of the field. Although the first half saw no goals, it was clear that both sides were ready to put everything on the line. The real action began early in the second half. In the 49th minute, América's Uruguayan forward Brian Rodríguez broke the deadlock, scoring the first goal of the match with a precise shot from outside the penalty area. Rodríguez’s goal was a result of América's persistent attacks, catching Monterrey’s Argentine goalkeeper, Estaban Andrada, off guard.

Monterrey fought back hard to even the score. After several missed opportunities, their efforts finally paid off in the 86th minute when Jordi Cortizo skillfully found the back of the net. His powerful shot from a distance slipped past América’s goalkeeper, Ángel Malagón, tying the game at 1-1. As the clock ticked down, it seemed like the game was headed for a draw. However, in a surprising twist, América’s Fidalgo managed to score in the final moments. Assisted by Henry Martín, Fidalgo slipped through Monterrey’s defense, tapping the ball into the goal in the 90th minute, sealing the win for América.

This victory pushed América to 21 points on the leaderboard, while Monterrey, under the guidance of Argentine coach Martín Demichelis, stayed at 25 points. Though Monterrey remains one of the top teams, this defeat highlights the fierce competition in this year's Apertura.

Another significant match of the week was the showdown between Toluca and Necaxa, which saw Toluca secure an impressive 3-1 victory. Toluca’s star player, Jesús “Canelo” Angulo, scored a hat-trick, showcasing his skills and helping Toluca move closer to securing a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinals. Angulo’s first goal came in the 19th minute with a long-range left-footed shot that found the top corner. Six minutes later, he doubled the score, and by the 66th minute, he had completed his hat-trick with a close-range shot, bringing Toluca to a solid 3-0 lead. Necaxa’s only goal came in stoppage time when Agustín Palavecino scored in the 95th minute. This win brought Toluca up to 31 points, just one step away from qualifying for the next stage, while Necaxa lagged behind with 13 points.

Elsewhere, Atlético San Luis took on Juárez in an intense encounter that ended with a 4-2 victory for San Luis. The scoring opened early in the game, with Sébastien Salles-Lamonge putting San Luis ahead in just the second minute. Salles-Lamonge later doubled his tally with a penalty kick in the 36th minute. By halftime, San Luis had a comfortable lead of 3-0, thanks to a goal by Mateo Klimowicz just before the whistle. Juárez fought back with two goals by Colombian Oscar Estupiñán, who managed to close the gap to 3-2. However, Brazilian player Phillipe Oliveira scored in the 84th minute, solidifying a 4-2 win for San Luis. With this result, San Luis jumped to 23 points, while Juárez remained near the bottom with only 10 points.

Week 14 also saw an upset when Puebla broke their six-game losing streak, defeating Guadalajara 1-0 in a tightly contested match. Additionally, Cruz Azul, the tournament leader, secured a comfortable 2-0 win over the Pumas, extending their lead with a total of 37 points.

As the tournament progresses, the standings reveal just how competitive this season has been. Cruz Azul sits firmly at the top with 37 points, followed by Toluca with 31. Teams like Tigres, Monterrey, and Tijuana are all battling it out in the upper half of the table, showcasing the depth of talent in the league. At the same time, teams like Juárez, Santos, and Querétaro are struggling to climb out of the bottom positions.

This week's results set the stage for an exciting finish to the regular season as teams push to secure their spots in the quarterfinals. With only a few games left, every match becomes a crucial test for these teams, making the Mexican Apertura 2024 one of the most thrilling tournaments in recent years.