Morelia shocks America in Liga MX Apertura semi-final first leg

Morelia takes a two-goal advantage into the second leg of the 2019 Apertura semifinal against Club America, after a 2-0 victory on Thursday in the first leg at Estadio Morelos.

Morelia opened the scored through Fernando Aristeguieta in the 15th minute and extended its lead in the 51st through Aldo Rocha, after Jorge Sanchez had been sent off for America 10 minutes before half-time. Morelia defender Sebastian Vegas also saw red in the 78th, but the team from Michoacan held on.

Liga MX giant America came into the tie as favorites, but will now need to win 2-0 on Sunday in Estadio Azteca to advance or by three goals if Morelia scores, with the away goal rule in place.

Venezuelan Aristeguieta tapped into an open net from a Luis Mendoza pass that left America keeper Guillermo Ochoa stranded, following a frantic opening in which both teams took turns in attacking.

The game turned on Sanchez's second yellow card, with the young Mexico international making a late tackle close to the halfway line to leave his team a player down.

Morelia continued to push for a second, although America didn't sit back and the home team's second came when Rocha finished a swift counter-attack in which America's players were stranded upfield.

Vegas also saw red for his second yellow card with 12 minutes remaining and America pressured for an away goal, but Morelia held strong.

In the other semifinal, Monterrey defeated Necaxa 2-1 on Wednesday in Estadio BBVA, with the return game on Saturday in Aguascalientes.