In a tough soccer game, Cruz Azul defeated America 1-0 in the 1st of 2 games in the finals of the Liga MX. The hero was Christian Gimenez, who scored a very impressive goal in the 20th minute of the match.
Half-chances on long shots were all either side produced until 'Chaco' Cristian Gimenez scored the game's only goal in uncharacteristic fashion in the 20th minute. Instead of taking his side's corner kick, he put himself into the center of the box, and it paid off. He wasn't tracked by America and got up to direct a header past Moises Muñoz.
While the first half was very even, the second half was completely dominated by Club America. Gerardo Torrado was overrun by Jesus Molina and Juan Carlos Medina, and his forwards did him no favors by giving the ball away constantly.
America's best chances came in the 53rd minute, when they forced Jesus Corona into back-to-back saves. His first, from open play on a header by 'Chucho' Cristian Benitez, was a spectacular reaction save that set up a corner. Aquivaldo Mosquera met that corner with a header, but could only put his shot into the arms of Corona. The Cruz Azul keeper came up big again in the 56th minute, stopping a 25-yard volley from Medina.
Mosquera was lucky to avoid a sending off in the 60th minute. He delivered a light -- but obviously deliberate -- headbutt to Gimenez which the referee didn't see clearly. Chaco went down easily to sell it, but there was no question that the headbutt constituted violent conduct. Mosquera only saw a yellow card for his part in the incident.
Javier Orozco had Cruz Azul's only real chance of the second half in the 68th minute, when Chaco played him in on goal with a quick free kick. Catching America's defense off guard, he chipped a long ball towards Orozco who went around 'Maza' Francisco Rodriguez, but pushed his finish wide of the far post.
In the end, Cruz Azul held on to win the game 1-0, giving Cruz Azul the upper advantage heading to Estadio Azteca this Sunday for the return game.
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