Monterrey became champion of the 2021 Concacaf Champions League after beating América

Monterrey de Mexico was consecrated this Thursday champion of the Concacaf-2021 Champions League by defeating the Mexican America 1-0 in the final played at the BBVA stadium and thereby also qualifying for the FIFA Club World Cup.

The Argentinian Rogelio Funes Mori, at minute 9, scored the goal for the victory and it allowed the coronation of the ‘Rayados’ of Monterrey, of the Mexican technical director Javier Aguirre.

The ‘Rayados’ imposed conditions at the start of the match. At minute 3, Carlos Rodríguez had the first opportunity with a header that went over the crossbar.

At 5, goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa saved America’s ‘Águilas’ by stopping a dangerous shot from the twin Funes Mori.

But the 1-0 would not be long in coming; at 9, the Uruguayan defender Sebastián Cáceres sliced ​​a low cross from Jesús Gallardo and left the ball served in the small area so that Funes Mori could reach her in the Americanist arc.

Funes Mori was out of place at the time of Gallardo’s attendance, but after the VAR review, the referee determined that the involuntary pass of the Uruguayan defender enabled the Argentine striker and confirmed the goal.

As the minutes passed, America settled better on the field and had its best and only approach of the first half in the 36 ‘minute, with a stopped ball. Paraguayan Richard Sánchez took a free kick that demanded the deflection of Argentine goalkeeper Estaban Andrada.

Already in the second half, at 60 ′, the Argentine Maximiliano Meza forgave America by connecting a direct header to Ochoa’s hands when he had time to control the ball and finish off with his leg as he had no mark on top.

Ochoa providentially protected the ‘Aguilas’ at 65′, when he launched himself for a ball he was threatening towards his goal.

At minute 81, America was saved from the second goal. The Dutchman Vincent Janssen took goalkeeper Ochoa out and touched the ball with the open and unprotected goal, but Cáceres arrived with speed to clear almost over the goal line.

The ‘Eagles’ had few opportunities to equalize and Monterrey was close to liquidating with a second goal, but Gallardo and Meza sent off deflected shots with the front goal.

The end of the match was dramatic. In America’s last attack play (90 + 10), the Uruguayan Federico Viñas sent a shot to the crossbar. The ‘Eagles’ claimed a penalty on the rebound for an alleged hand that the referee ruled out after the VAR review.

In this way, the Monterrey achieved his fifth title as Concacaf club champion to add it to those obtained in the 2010-2011, 2011-2012, 2012-2013 and 2019 editions.

America lost a Concacaf club final for the first time after winning their previous seven. (D)