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MEXICO CITY -- Mexico international Oribe Peralta netted Club America´s winner as it advanced to the Liga MX Clausura 2016 semifinals at the expense of bitter rival Chivas on Sunday at the Estadio Azteca. America won the match and the series 2-1 on aggregate, following the 0-0 tie in the first leg of the Clasico Nacional last Thursday in Guadalajara. After a frantic first half in which Chivas failed to convert a penalty ended 1-1, it was Peralta who scored the decisive goal in the 64th minute, following a swift and incisive break down the left from Darwin Quintero. Chivas piled on late pressure and captain Omar Bravo had a late chance, although it was America that looked more dangerous on the counter-attack. Orbelin Pineda netted Chivas´opener in the ninth minute with a curling shot from 25 yards, following a slick passing move out of defense. The 20-year-old Olympic hopeful then won a penalty in the 31st when he drew America goalkeeper Hugo Gonzalez into a late foul inside the box. Carlos Pena stepped up, but hit the crossbar with his effort, leaving America only needing one goal to take the lead in the series. Just four minutes earlier, America had won a penalty when Jesus Sanchez fouled Darwin Quintero and Osvaldo Martinez slotted home in the 27th minute. In the end, the penalty taking was the difference between the sides and Peralta's second-half winner proved decisive as America progress to the semifinals. Monterrey and Leon are the other two sides into the semifinals of the Clausura playoffs so far. Monterrey defeated local rival Tigres 4-3 on aggregate, while Leon overcame Morelia 5-2 over the two legs.
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