Club América won consecutive championships and extended its record of Liga MX titles to 15 after defeating rival Cruz Azul 2-1 on aggregate in the Clausura 2024 final.

Thursday’s first leg ended with a 1-1 draw at Cruz Azul’s Ciudad de los Deportes Stadium. Sunday’s second leg at Club América’s Estadio Azteca ended with a score of 1-0 in favor of the team.

Delayed by a storm, the weekend’s second leg began with early interventions by América goalkeeper Luis Malagón. Faced with dangerous headers from Uriel Antuna and Ángel Sepúlveda, Malagón intervened with two outstanding saves in the first 23 minutes. Malagón later had to go one step further with a vital stop in the 37th minute after a dangerous long-range shot by Gonzalo Piovi.

Despite Cruz Azul’s dominance in the first half and three shots on goal, the score was still tied 0-0 as both teams headed to their locker rooms for the halftime break.

The visitor pressure continued during the second half. At minute 55, it seemed that Cruz Azul had taken a 1-0 lead after a goal from Lorenzo Faravelli, but the play was soon called for offside, thus disallowing the goal.

The momentum would eventually shift towards Club América in the second half after Cruz Azul defender Carlos Rotondi committed a foul in the 18-yard box against fullback Israel Reyes. After a long VAR control, which confirmed a penalty, Club América forward Henry Martín intervened and scored 1-0 in the 78th minute.

“Controversies always surround América, there are many people who try to discredit our triumphs, our victories. Whenever we win, there is always some type of discussion,” said América coach André Jardine.

With chances of equalizing the score, Rodrigo Huescas of Cruz Azul shot on goal in the 91st minute that was again saved by Malagón.

Although both teams continued to trade blows in the latter stages of the game, Martín’s lone goal would continue to make the difference after the final whistle, cementing Club América’s status as back-to-back champions in Mexico’s top flight.

Thanks to its 15 titles, Club América has expanded its record of Liga MX trophies. Chivas is second all-time with 12 titles, while Toluca is third with 10 and Cruz Azul fourth with nine.