The crowd held its breath. The official went to the television. Just four days after a VAR handball decision saved Xolos against Puebla, an official was reviewing an identical incident on practically the same spot on the pitch,
The outcome was the same. Handball. A visiting goal was chalked off and Club Tijuana fans could breathe again. America’s Álex Zendejas suffered the same indignity as his Puebla teammate of seeing a winning goal dismised.
The score stayed at 2-2 and penalties decided the outcome.
Unai Bilbao had given Xolos an early lead and the home side looked pretty comfortable at the interval with America passing and shooting poorly.
A half time yelling buoyed up the visitors and Brian Rodríguez equalised just six minutes after the restart. Now was a test of both sides’ mettle.
It was Xolos who responded better and Raul Zuniga restored their lead just two minutes later.
Once more Tijuana looked comfortable, until one moment of utter stupidity cost them.
The ball was on the half way line and close to the touchline. It was not a position from which America could threaten anything.
Inexplicably, Nicolás Díaz flung his boot five feet in the air to challenge and connected wth the face of America’s Álvaro Fidalgo.
The visiting coach and substitutes started waving imaginary red cards in the face of referee Adonai Gonzalez. He took his time, reviewed the incident and correctly dismissed the idiotic Díaz.
With a man advantage, America awoke. With Tijuana five minutes away from a famous victory, Álex Zendejas set up Cristián Borja for the equaliser to please the large away support in the full stadium.
The match went to penalties but the reality was that both sides would recieve another chance to avoid elimination if they lost.
Xolos missed their first two penalties and Anerica scored theirs. When Aaron Mejia missed for Tijuana again, the victory was America’s.
Xolos now await Atlas who had eliminated Guadalajara city rivals Chivas earlier that day.
Attendance: 29,333
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