America thrashes Santos Laguna 3-0 in a Liga MX match, with Henry Martin scoring his first goal of the tournament and America leading the general table. The blue-and-white team pegged from very early, with Dagoberto Espinoza sending a precise cross to the movement of Henry Martin, who connected a powerful header to beat Carlos Acevedo and score his first goal of the tournament.
The reaction of the Warriors did not take long to arrive and it was then that the figure of Rodolfo Cota appeared. First, the goalkeeper deflected a shot from Eduardo Aguirre with his hand, although the action ended invalidated by being out of place. At minute 23, the controversy arrived. Ramiro Sordo received a filtered pass inside the area and, in his attempt to stay with the ball, Cota ended up tackling him. The referee signaled a penalty immediately, but after reviewing the action in the VAR, it was confirmed that the American goalkeeper had touched the ball first, so the decision was overturned.
Santos maintained the pressure and at minute 37 Cota again dressed up as a hero with a spectacular double save that avoided the tie and maintained the blue-and-white advantage before the break. Inconformed with the functioning of his team, Guillermo Almada moved his pieces for the complement. Israel Reyes entered for Raphael Veiga and Kevin Álvarez replaced Dagoberto Espinoza, modifications that returned the control of the game to America.
At 68, Henry Martin was close to signing his double, but instead of defining he tried to assist Isaías Violante and the service ended up being too long. The sentence arrived from the bench. Almada sent Brian Rodríguez to the field and the Uruguayan barely needed two minutes to make his presence felt in the score. With a great individual action, he dodged two defenders and defined in front of the exit of Carlos Acevedo to widen the advantage.
When the game was agonizing, the moment of Alejandro Cárdenas arrived. The young canterano made his debut in the First Division with a powerful right-footed shot that escaped Acevedo to decree the 3-0 final and seal a round night for the Eagles, who place themselves as leaders of the Apertura 2026. America leads the general table with 7 points of advantage over Santos Laguna, which is in the 17th position of the Liga MX with 0 points in 3 games played, with a streak of 5 consecutive losses.
How did the game start?
The blue-and-white team pegged from very early, with Dagoberto Espinoza sending a precise cross to the movement of Henry Martin, who connected a powerful header to beat Carlos Acevedo and score his first goal of the tournament.
Why does it matter for Santos Laguna?
The loss of Santos Laguna leaves them in the 17th position of the Liga MX with 0 points in 3 games played, with a streak of 5 consecutive losses. America, on the other hand, places themselves as leaders of the Apertura 2026.
What comes next?
Santos Laguna will face Guadalajara Chivas in their next game, on August 17, while America will face Necaxa in their next game, on August 14.
