América 1-1 Columbus (25 September 2024) Match Analysis

Néstor Araujo scored the winning goal for América in a 5-4 penalty shootout win against the Columbus Crew following a 1-1 draw in the Campeones Cup final on Wednesday night.

After Malte Amundsen of the Crew hit the crossbar with his attempt, goalkeeper Patrick Schulte could not stop Araujo and América prevailed.

Víctor Dávila gave Club América the lead with a goal in the 68th minute, but Amundsen's goal in the 77th minute equalized the game.

Dávila, who came on as a second-half substitute, broke through and outmaneuvered the Crew defenders to put América ahead. The Chilean international joined América from CSKA Moscow just two weeks ago.

It was the second appearance in a Campeones Cup final for both teams. América lost to Atlanta United FC in 2019. The Crew won the 2021 final, defeating Cruz Azul.

The teams previously met in the group stage of the 2023 Leagues Cup and the Crew won 4-1.

The Campeones Cup, launched in 2018, is contested annually between the winner of the MLS Cup championship and the winner of the Mexican Campeón de Campeones.

Club America has won two consecutive Liga MX titles in the 2023 Apertura season and the 2024 Clausura season.

The Crew are the reigning MLS Cup champions and also won the Leagues Cup this summer.

The Mexico City club had more possession in the goalless first half, but as the game progressed, the Crew gained momentum.

In the 59th minute, Schulte made a brilliant save to deny a shot from Álvaro Fidalgo before Araujo sealed the deal with his penalty.

This story uses information from The Associated Press.