The Rayadas of Monterrey defeated the Aguilas of América 1-0 on Thursday to take the lead in the final of the Clausura 2026 Mexican soccer tournament, which will be decided on Sunday.
Alice Soto scored a goal in the 25th minute to decide a game of little excitement with repeated errors on both sides.
Alice Soto punished América and Rayadas took advantage of it
America, who played in three of the four most recent league finals and lost all three, came out pressing and dominated at the start of the match.
Against an opponent that regretted the absence of its main scorer, the Spanish Lucía García, who was injured.
In the 25th minute, Monterrey capitalized on a defensive lapse by the Águilas.
Soto received a ball in the middle of the field, broke away unmarked and left-footed past Spanish goalkeeper Sandra Paños to make it 1-0.
América went on the attack in search of the equalizer and had possession of the ball for a longer period of time.
However, they left space at the back and in the 40th minute came close to conceding a second goal.
South African Jermaine Seoposenwe arrived alone in the area, but confirmed she was far from her best form and gave the ball to Paños (Filed as: Rayadas defeat América in final).
The locals withstood the pressure
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Spanish coach Angel Villacampa’s Eagles came out with forward lines in the second half.
And once again Monterrey came close to increasing the lead in the 55th minute.
With Brazilian Geyse leading the way, America persisted and twice created danger.
The striker shot wide in the 63rd minute and was saved by goalkeeper Paola Manrique in the 66th.
Monterrey, who conceded less than half a goal per game on average in the regular phase, kept their shape against a disconnected América, with no scoring moves.
Geyse calmed his frustration over his lack of effectiveness with an aggression against defender Samantha Simental in a skirmish in the 88th minute, which did not escalate (Filed as: Rayadas defeat América in final).
America was forgiving at the end
A match with few emotions
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In the 90+3 minute, Brazilian Isadora Hass had the equalizer for América.
Alone in the area, with the goalkeeper beaten, she shot wide.
Allison Veloz confirmed the poor attacking performance of both teams.
In the last play of the game, she let in the second goal for French coach Amandine Miquel’s Rayadas.
The second leg of the final will be played next Sunday at América’s stadium (Filed under: Rayadas defeat América in final).
With information from EFE
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