📝Club América 3-0 Pachuca: Champions win home opener | OneFootball

Winners of the Apertura 2018 Liguilla title, Club América played their second match of the new campaign on Saturday, and their first at home in the Azteca Stadium.

In their prior game, the Águilas narrowly defeated Atlas in Guadalajara after getting a bye week to start the Clausura. Their opponent on matchday 3 has had a tumultuous season so far.

Pachuca lost 5-0 to Monterrey on the opening week before defeating Querétaro 3-0 last time out. Unfortunately for the Tuzos, this match got out of their control in the second half.

24-year-old Argentine midfielder Guido Rodríguez scored the game’s first goal in the 16th minute. Ecuadorian winger Renato Ibarra served in a corner kick and Rodríguez turned the ball past goalkeeper Alfonso Blanco with an improvised effort after a quarter-hour.

Miguel Herrera’s side went into the break with the lead and set about improving it almost immediately after the intermission.

Henry Martín doubled América’s lead just two minutes into the second half. Argentine winger Cristian Insaurralde replaced teenager José Clemente at half-time and set up Martín’s goal with pinpoint service from the left channel.

Insaurralde turned from provider to finisher and rounded out the victory for the home side in the in the 51st minute with a splendid volley.

Pachuca did not take the result laying down, however. The visitors grew in possession and continued to test América’s goalkeeper.

Agustín Marchesín was up for the challenge and made a number of big saves to preserve his clean sheet.

The result is América’s second win of the young Clausura 2019 campaign and the azulcremas have a game to make up in the schedule.

Pachuca find themselves with three points after three matches but it’s unclear what progress the players are making under manager Pako Ayestarán.