05/06/26 11:06:00
Printable Page
05/06 23:01 CDT Toluca beats LAFC 4-0 to reach an all-Mexican Champions Cup
final
Toluca beats LAFC 4-0 to reach an all-Mexican Champions Cup final
TOLUCA, Mexico (AP) --- Sparked by second-half goals from Helinho and Everardo
del Villar, Toluca beat LAFC 4-0 on Wednesday to qualify for a CONCACAF
Champions Cup final against UANL Tigres.
Helinho converted a penalty in the 49th minute and del Villar doubled the lead
in the 58th.
Portuguese striker Joao Paulo Dias "Paulinho" added two goals in stoppage time
for the Red Devils, who clinched the semifinal series 5-2 on aggregate.
This will be the first all-Mexican final in the continental tournament since
2021, when Monterrey defeated Club Amrica.
Regardless of who wins the May 30 decider, a Mexican team will take home the
championship trophy for the fourth consecutive year. The last MLS team to win
the title was the Seattle Sounders in 2022.
Toluca will be aiming for a third title in the tournament, and first since 2003
when it beat Morelia in another all-Mexican final.
Toluca achieved victory despite the absence of two Mexico national team
players, Alexis Vega and Jess Gallardo, who had to join the national squad
preparing for the World Cup.
LAFC was seeking a third trip to the final in its fourth competition
appearance. The club also reached the Champions Cup Final in 2020 and 2023.
LAFC finished the match with 10 players after Ryan Porteous was sent off in the
88th minute.
___
AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
|