America Vs. Tigres Second Leg Recap And Highlights: Three Red Cards From Tigres Gives America Record 12th Title! [VIDEO]

MEXICO CITY – In one of the most dramatic and bizarre matches in recent memory, Club America defeated Tigres UANL 3-1 (on aggregate) at the Estadio Azteca after not one, not two, but three red cards were handed out to Tigres players in an eight minute span. Fans in attendance went crazy as Club America was crowned champion of Liga MX for a record 12^th time. America now stands alone as the most decorated club in Mexican history passing Chivas Guadalajara (11) for the most titles all time.

Despite the dramatic and historic victory by America, all eyes were on referee Paul Enrique Delgadillo Haro during the match as he showed an unprecedented three red cards to Tigres players in an eight minute span that left Tigres shorthanded with only eight men on the pitch and without their starting goalkeeper. Facebook and Twitter erupted after the third card as many soccer fans believed the fix was in and that Haro had been paid off handing the title on a silver platter to America.

Tigres came into the match riding a one goal advantage after defeating America 1-0 in Monterrey, Mexico on Thursday. It was their first outright win in the Liguilla playoffs and the difference maker in going to Mexico City needing to score or needing to not concede a goal in order to the lift the trophy.

America wiped away Tigres one goal advantage in the 36^th minute after a goal from Michael Arroyo equalized the Apertura Final on aggregate goals 1-1. Arroyo found an impossible angle off his left foot from just inside the 18 yard box and found the top left corner of the net. With the score tied on aggregate’s and no tiebreaker in place, the second half was intense and action packed as both teams looked for the game winning goal in regulation.

Pablo Aguilar scored the go-ahead goal for America in the 61^st minute off of an incredible header. Midfielder, Rubens Sambueza, sent a free kick to the right hand side just inside the 18-yard box where Aguilar floated a header from distance past Tigres goalkeeper, Nahuel Guzman, and into the top left corner of the net. The goal sent the over 100,000 in attendance into a frenzy, but what would transpire in the minutes to follow was unlike anything the sport of soccer has ever seen.

Less than three minutes later, Tigres attempted a corner kick that was punched away by America goalkeeper, Moises Munoz. It led to a breakaway opportunity on the counter for Miguel Layun who was grabbed by Tigres midfielder Hernan D. Burbano from behind and spun to the ground. The foul was not malicious, or overly physical upon replay, but referee Delgadillo immediately showed Burbano a red card and ejected him from the match.

Much to the chagrin of Tigres UANL manager, Ricardo Ferretti, the call stood and his team was left with the daunting task of trying to score a goal on the road, in front of a raucous crowd, playing with a man down. The controversial call was protested by Tigres, but less than three minutes later, all hell would break loose. Tigres Captain, Damian Alvarez, was called for a hand ball and given a red card by Delgadillo for what he later said was “fighting” by the Mexican star. Alvarez was enraged and immediately went after Delgadillo and had to be held back by multiple players from both teams from attacking the referee.

Club America captain, Miguel Layun, could be seen holding Alvarez, whispering something in his ear in an attempt to calm his opponent down as he walked him off the pitch. Upon replay, Alvarez could be seen throwing a punch at America defender Ventura Alvarado as he was going for the ball, but he missed wildly. The referee appeared to make what he believed to be a judgment call; one that many Tigres fans and soccer fans throughout Mexico believed was the wrong decision. Nevertheless, it left Tigres without their captain, and now with the impossible task of trying to score a goal down two men, 11-9.

Ferretti could only watch as the wind was taken out of his team’s sails and the hopes and dreams of winning the Liga MX title were vanquished. Minutes later, Guzman would pick up his second yellow card for a rough sliding tackle, adding insult to injury and giving Tigres their third red card of the match. It was another controversial decision by Delgadillo as replay showed that Guzman barely touched him on the tackle, but he too would be ejected and replaced by backup goalkeeper, Enrique Palos Reyes.

With Tigres down three men and without their starting goalkeeper, it was only a matter of time before America would score again and they found the trifecta in the 78^th minute off of a great shot by Oribe Peralta. The El Tri hero hammered a shot off of his right foot from dead center of the line on the 18-yard box. The shot found the left side of the net and just past a diving Reyes in goal.

The victory may have been the last game for America coach, Antonio “Turco” Mohamed who is expected to be fired now that the season is over. His style of play has clashed with the Club America brass and on Saturday, before the match, Mohamed confirmed he would most likely be leaving the club and rumors have Uruguay’s Gustavo Matosas as his likely successor. In a touching tribute, the Azteca crowd chanted “Turco! Turco!” at the end of the match.

Tigres UANL’s streak of 15 consecutive games without a loss comes to an end as well as the opportunity to win their fourth Liga MX title. Tigres can hold their heads high however after a great season saw them finish second in the league and make it all the way back to the Apertura final. If not for the nearly eight minute meltdown which saw them concede the second goal, get hit with three red cards, and then surrender a third goal, Tigres would have had a great shot to win the match in either overtime or on penalty kicks. Even with an 8-man team however, they continued to fight and finished the match strong.

We predicted before the match, that Oribe Peralta would play a huge role for America in this game and more than likely find the back of the net. Even though Peralta scored to cap off a wild night, we never in our deepest dreams thought the match would end how it did. More importantly, Mexico City will be partying tonight as they have finally overtaken their arch rivals, Chivas Guadalajara, and can claim the crown as greatest club in Mexican history. Somewhere, Chespirito is looking down and smiling on his favorite team.