There was no surprise, miracle or feat, Pachuca became the champion of the Liga MX Apertura 2022 Tournament, reaching the seventh title in its history, after defeating Toluca 3-1 (8-2 on aggregate) in the second leg of the final.
In front of a full house at the Hidalgo Stadium, the Tuzos avoided any kind of surprise. The Diablos Rojos were hopeful with Ral Lpez‘s goal at minute 21, but Vctor Guzmn, at 45’+3, the tournament’s top scorer, Nicols Ibez, at 51′, and Gustavo Cabral, at 75′, scored the comeback goals that gave a great flavor to the well-deserved championship.
Toluca scored the first goal of the match
Despite Toluca’s four-goal deficit going into the second leg, coach Ignacio Ambriz‘s team did not give up and it was Tiago Volpi who thwarted the home team’s first chance with a spectacular flight, while “Dedos” Lpez fed the Diablos Rojos’ hopes with a right-footed shot from outside the box to cut the deficit to three goals.
At that moment, the team led by Uruguayan coach Guillermo Almada woke up and took control of the ball with Romario Ibarra trying to create danger, but with little success. It was not until the end of the first half when Nicols Ibez missed a penalty kick, but in the following play, Vctor Guzmn appeared to shoot with his left foot inside the box and make it 1-1 at halftime.
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Pachuca secured the championship in the second half
In the second half, Toluca remained in the fight, but Ibaez rebounded from the missed penalty kick by perfectly unmarking himself inside the box and with a great right-footed shot, gave Pachuca a 2-1 lead.
The definitive 3-1 came from a penalty kick that the team from the State of Hidalgo took, thanks to Gustavo Cabral, who made the final score 3-1.
The fans of the team that founded soccer in Mexico had already felt like champions since the first leg, so the party was complete this Sunday.
