Club America seal historic three-peat after sealing second leg Liga MX Final victory over Monterrey

Club America are champions once again as they defeated Monterrey 3-2 on aggregate in Liga MX final to win the Apertura 2024 title. Considering a challenging regular season, in which Las Águilas finished eighth in the league, their rise to champions is remarkable.

From the start of the second leg, America took the initiative despite already having the aggregate lead from the first encounter. The side gave an early warning to the hosts with a goal disallowed for offside by Henry Martín. Moments later, Richard Sánchez scored from long distance, beating goalkeeper Luis Cárdenas to put them ahead.

In the second half, Rayados were compelled to seek the result, and it wasn't until the final stretch that a goal by Johan Rojas added drama, but it was not enough and the cup went to André Jardine's team.

With the win, Club America are the first Liga MX side to win three consecutive titles in the Apertura and Clausura era. In additional, U.S. international Alejandro Zendejas has now won his fourth Liga MX title - three with America and one as a bit player for Chivas in 2017.

Overall, Zendejas has nine trophies as a player in Liga MX, including his recent Campeones Cup win against the Columbus Crew.

Despite not having many minutes throughout the tournament, Richard Sánchez was key in the semifinal against Cruz Azul and also in the final against Monterrey, scoring the goal that sealed the championship.

Monterrey lost its third Liga MX final on its home ground. The team hasn't won the league since 2019 and has five overall league titles. Rayados have fared much better in continental competitions, winning five CONCACAF Champions Cups since 2011, including their last one in 2021.

América will now seek a fourth consecutive championship in the Clausura, something never before seen in the history of Liga MX in either league format.