📝 América and Pachuca play to 1-1 draw in semi-final first-leg | OneFootball

América and Pachuca traded second-half goals as their-leg semi-final finished 1-1 at the Estadio Azteca on Thursday night.

Scorers: Valdés 54′; Ibañez 82′ (pen)

América got off on the front foot and arguably should have scored six minutes into the contest but Federico Viñas could not fire his shot past Oscar Ustari from eight yards out.

Pachuca would have a chance to take the lead 36 minutes in as Víctor Guzmán attempted a long-distance free-kick but Memo Ochoa was there to deny his effort.

Four minutes later, Luis Fuentes found a wide-open streaking Diego Valdés in front of goal but the Chilean sent his shot high over the crossbar.

Just before the half-time whistle, Pachuca had a valuable opportunity from a corner but Ochoa made a spectacular save on the line to keep the match scoreless.

The Eagles would make the breakthrough in the 54th minute as Valdés followed up Viñas’ effort to give the home side a 1-0 lead.

Pachuca would respond with a Nicolas Ibañez penalty in the 82nd minute following a lengthy intervention from VAR, as Jorge Sánchez was judged to have made contact with Avilés Hurtado in the box.

The two sides will meet up once again on Sunday, May 22nd.