Club America goalkeeper Agustin Marchesin scored the winning penalty as Las Aguilas captured Liga MX’s Campeon de Campeones against Tigres 6-5 on spot-kicks, after the game had finished scoreless over 90 minutes.
The victory for 2018 Apertura champion America in a sold out Dignity Health Sports Park sets up a clash against Atlanta United on August 14 in Mercedes Benz Stadium for the Campeones Cup.
Argentina international Marchesin made three saves in the penalty shootout, before netting the winner against Tigres keeper Nahuel Guzman in the ninth round of penalties.
Guzman made two crucial stops in the second half to take the game to penalties, while America’s Jorge Sanchez went close in the 36th minute, when he headed just over from a right-wing cross.
Tigres dominated possession over the 90 minutes, but didn’t manage a single shot on target, while America forced Guzman into six saves.
The Campeones Cup pits the MLS champion against Mexico’s Campeon de Campeones, with this year the second time the game will have been played. The inaugural edition was won by Tigres, who defeated Toronto 3-1 last September.
Atlanta United changed coaches from Gerardo “Tata” Martino to Frank de Boer since the 2018 championship win and is currently on a run of three MLS games without a victory.