OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·8 August 2022
OneFootball
Seamus Leonard·8 August 2022
Henry Martín scored his third and fourth goals of the season as América got their Apertura campaign back on track with a win over Juárez on Sunday.
Scorers: Martín 60′, 64′; Medina 90′
The hosts enjoyed the stronger start in torrential rain at the Azteca Stadium, with Martín forcing a full-stretch save from Juárez goalkeeper Alfredo Talavera after 25 minutes.
Neither side could break the deadlock before half time, but it was the visitors who went closest just after the restart when Alejandro Arribas had his header from a corner cleared off the line by Emilio Lara.
And Los Bravos fluffed a glorious chance that resulted from a free-kick when Carlos Salcedo contrived to head wide with the América goal at his mercy.
Las Águilas made the most of that let-off when, on the hour-mark, Martín powered home a downward header after meeting an inviting cross by Luis Fuentes from the left wing.
The striker completed his brace just four minutes later. This time the service came from the right flank as Martín met Lara’s ball to direct it neatly to the net.
Juárez were handed a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty with just over 20 minutes to go, but Maximiliano Silvera failed to make it count by sending his spot kick narrowly wide.
Alan Medina did pull a goal back in the final minute, and Bravos came agonisingly close to an injury-time equaliser when Gabriel Fernández was denied by a brilliant point-blank save by Guillermo Ochoa.
The Azulcrema just about held on to claim all three points, moving up to 12th and into the play-off positions in the process.