América climbed to the leadership of the Apertura de Fútbol tournament on Friday after registering its sixth consecutive victory by coming back from a goal against and beating Mazatlán 3-1 as a visitor at the beginning of the eleventh day.
The “Eagles” of America reached 22 points to surpass Monterrey, Toluca and Tigres UANL and position themselves at the top of the general table.
“We started with an adverse marker and the boys had character to be able to reverse the situation, that speaks of professionalism. We work to win and be protagonists wherever we go to play, I think we generate respect for all rivals, both local and away “, said the technical director of America, the Argentine Fernando Ortiz.
In the match played at the Mazatlán stadium, the local team took the lead in the 11th minute when the Chilean Diego Valdés scored on his own goal in an unfortunate play where the ball hit him on the shoulder after a header by Oswaldo Alanís .
Mazatlán was able to increase its advantage in the 16th minute, but Alfonso Sánchez sent his shot over the goal despite being left unmarked inside the area after a cross sent from the left sector.
América equalized in the 39th minute with a shot by Valdés from outside the area, hitting the ball against the right post.
América turned the score around in the 44th minute when Henry Martín finished off a pass from Miguel Layún in the small area.
The visiting team scored the third goal in the 48th minute with a powerful header from Uruguayan Sebastián Cáceres in the small area after a center sent by the Spanish Álvaro Fidalgo from the left sector.
The situation for Mazatlan was complicated in the 58th minute with the expulsion of defender Carlos Vargas, who received the yellow card for the second time after committing a strong foul on Alejandro Zendejas.
“I don’t keep the six games we’ve won, you always have to correct,” Ortiz said.
In another game on Friday, Puebla and Bravos de Ciudad Juárez tied 2-2. Uruguayan Maximiliamo Araújo and Martín Barragán scored for Puebla, while Carlos Fierro and Argentine Matías García scored for Bravos.
The activity will continue on Saturday when Cruz Azul faces Querétaro in the match that will mark the debut of Raúl “Potro” Gutiérrez as interim technical director of Cruz Azul after his appointment on Wednesday to replace Uruguayan Diego Aguirre.
Tigres UANL will face Necaxa and Guadalajara will play Pumas UNAM.
The day will be completed on Sunday with the matches between Toluca-Pachuca, León-Atlas, Santos Laguna-Atlético de San Luis and Tijuana-Monterrey.