Football
Tom Marshall, Mexico correspondent 8y

Pumas hang on to beat Club America, Tigres win to secure finals spot

Pumas lost 3-1 against nine-man Club America on Sunday, but managed to hold on to advance to the Liga MX Apertura finals thanks to a 4-3 aggregate score over the two legs of the semifinal.

Darwin Quintero netted twice for Las Aguilas in the first half of the Mexico City derby, with Javier Cortes pulling one back for Pumas in the 84th minute, before Andres Aldrete scored in the 87th to take America to within one goal of advancing.

America couldn't overcome the 3-0 deficit from the first leg last Thursday and weren't helped by red cards for Paolo Goltz and Rubens Sambueza.

America needed to score at least four goals and came flying out the blocks, fueled by coach Ignacio Ambriz fielding five outwardly-attacking players.

Quintero had the ball in the back of the net in the ninth and increased the lead in the 26th, with a timid Pumas pinned back and not really in the game.

After halftime, America continued to dominate and looked threatening in front of goal, resulting in Pumas goalkeeper Alejandro Palacios being the home team's best player.

Goltz was sent off for his second yellow card and then Sambueza followed him, with Cortes taking advantage in the 84th.

America continued to press even with nine players and Andrade curled in a goal from outside the penalty area to set up a grandstand finish in which Las Aguilas goalkeeper Moises Munoz came forward for two corner kicks.

America will represent the CONCACAF region at the Club World Cup later this month, but may be without Mexico international midfielder Javier Guemez, who was stretchered off in the first half and taken to hospital with a serious-looking injury.

Tigres defeated Toluca 2-0 in the semifinal second leg in Estadio Nemesio Diez.

Second half goals from Javier Aquino and Damian Alvarez sealed the victory for Tigres, after the first leg last Thursday finished 0-0.

Tigres will face Pumas in the final next Thursday and Sunday, with the first leg set to be played at Tigres' Estadio Universitario and the decisive second game in Pumas' Estadio Universitario Olimpico.

Tigres dominated the first half and had outshot home side Toluca 12-1 by halftime.

When it seemed Toluca was coming into the game and pushing for a goal, Aquino slid in to finish in the 69th minute, following a cross from Alvarez.

The provider turned scorer in the 83rd, with Andre-Pierre Gignac centering for Argentine Alvarez to head in.

Toluca's best chance came in the 55th, when striker Fernando Uribe had a free header inside the penalty area that he directed just wide of Nahuel Guzman's post.

Pumas will be attempting to win their eighth first division title, while Tigres are currently on three.

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