Liga MX semifinals set as Pumas sneak past Club America, reigning champ Toluca eliminated

TL;DR

Pumas advanced to the Liga MX semifinals after defeating Club América 6-5 on aggregate. Despite a strong start, Pumas had to fend off a late comeback attempt from América.

Key points

Pumas defeated Club América 6-5 on aggregate
Pumas led 3-0 early in the match
Club América scored twice before halftime
A third goal for América was disallowed for offside
Pumas advanced to the Liga MX semifinals

PumasClub América

Despite blowing a lead for the second time in as many weeks, Pumas clawed its way past Club América and into the Liga MX semifinals.

The teams played an instant classic at the CU on the campus of the UNAM in Mexico City, with Pumas jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the first 23 minutes to take a commanding 6-3 lead on the aggregate scoreline of the teams' two-legged quarterfinal series.

But América was nearly level by halftime, scoring twice and putting the ball in the back of the net a third time before the break only to see that goal ruled out for offside.

The third goal did arrive for Las Aguilas, with Alejandro Zendejas soaring at the back post and heading a Brian Rodriguez cross past Pumas goalkeeper Keylor Navas.

With better regular-season finish the first tiebreaker, América still needed to find another goal, and it looked like it might arrive in the 86th minute when América won a controversial penalty. But forward Henry Martin put his shot off the post, and Pumas were able to see out the 3-3 draw that puts it into the next round.

There, manager Efrain Juarez's side will face Pachuca.

Pachuca eliminated Toluca with a 2-0 victory in the second leg to earn a 3-0 aggregate triumph. Toluca was the reigning champion, having won each of the last two short tournaments.

Who will Chivas play in the Liga MX playoffs?

It already has been a strange Liguilla because of an agreement between Liga MX club owners and the Mexico national team to play the league's playoffs without Mexico internationals. Those players reported to the national team May 6, though the agreement appeared to be in risk when Toluca players trained in preparation for a Concacaf Champions Cup semifinal and Chivas responded by recalling its players.