MEXICO CITY (AP) — With goals from Chilean midfielder Diego Valdés and forward Henry Martín, América extended its unbeaten streak by beating Necaxa 2-1 on Saturday in Mexico’s Clausura tournament.
Valdés struck in the 22nd minute and Martín converted a penalty in the 51st for the Águilas, who have won for the second time in their last three games.
Martín, Mexican player in the World Cup in Qatar 2022, accumulates seven scores with which he remains the top scorer of the Clausura tournament after six dates.
América adds 10 points with which it temporarily places itself in fourth position, awaiting the continuation of the matches for the sixth date.
Las Águilas is one of two unbeaten teams in the Mexican tournament. The other is Tigers, who have one game pending on that date.
Uruguayan Maximiliano Silvera scored in the 80th minute for Rayos, who lost for the second time in their last three games.
Necaxa, led by Argentine coach Andrés Lillini, has four units and sits 15th out of 18 top teams.
América took the lead when Néstor Araujo headed inside the box. Valdés finished in the small area to turn the opening goal into a game that had to be cleared by VAR.
The Azulcremas were close to their second goal before the break when Spaniard Álvaro Fidalgo’s shot hit the crossbar.
The Águilas extended their lead when Valdés was knocked down in the box for a penalty which Martín easily converted with a low shot to the right post.
Necaxa brought drama to the game towards the end when Silvera received a cross from the right and struck a left-footed shot which entered goalkeeper Óscar Jiménez’s right side.
In the end, América were able to extend their advantage with a shot from Uruguayan Brian Rodríguez that went just wide.