MEXICO — (Omar Flores Aldana | ESPN) Social networks exploded with the repetition of a penalty that Antony Silva had stopped Diego Valdés. That was the climax of the tie between América and Puebla, which ended with a 3-2 victory for Tano Ortiz and a pass to the semifinals for azulcremas by a global 4-3.
It was the beginning of the second half and the VAR took the leading role in the Azteca Stadium. He first called in Fernando Guerrero to score a penalty on Bruno Valdez that the whistleblower had missed. Then, Diego Valdés failed and again the video referee asked for a clue, to repeat the shot from eleven steps, because goalkeeper Antony Silva supposedly came forward. America did not fail, this time.
That action, in the second half, ignited the spark in the Azteca Stadium, in social networks, everywhere, because criticism began against Fernando Ortiz’s team and the party on the pitch of the colossus of Santa Úrsula. The house of the Eagles exploded in the 2-1 celebration, courtesy of Diego Valdés, and on the internet more than one raised an eyebrow at Fernando Guerrero’s decision.
At the climax of the first half, America was hit with a goal by Henry Martin and Israel Reyes left more than one speechless, with a Chilean that gave La Franja the tie, seconds before both teams left at halftime.
The spark came in the second half, with the VAR decisions, and Diego Valdés’ goal. A save from Guillermo Ochoa to Aristiguieta and a score from Zendejas, who only had to push the ball into Antony Silva’s goal to make it 3-1, against a defeated Puebla.
América, with Puebla knocked out, took time to give the young Román Martín minutes, to walk the ball and waste at least one more opportunity to increase the advantage.
Aristiguieta scored the 3-2 penalty, in the last minute of the game, but it was already impossible to avoid the celebration of the Azulcremas going to the semifinals, after three tournaments.
