Toluca, Mexico (SportsNetwork.com) - Cruz Azul claimed its sixth CONCACAF Champions League title via away goals on Wednesday following a 1-1 second-leg draw with Toluca at the Nemesio Dez Stadium.
After a tame scoreless draw between the sides in the first leg back on April 15, Cruz Azul knew a road goal on Wednesday would go a long way toward securing the title, and the goal came in the 41st minute to give the visitors the lead.
On the opening tally, Marco Fabian got free down the left flank and lofted the ball back across the face of goal. Toluca's defenders left Mariano Pavone completely unmarked and he nodded it home with ease.
The hosts drew level in the 63rd minute when Edgar Benitez smashed one into the top left corner, but the hosts needed a second goal to claim the title.
Toluca pushed forward looking for a winning goal and sent 12 attempts toward goal in the second half. With time winding down, and the fourth official's board showing four minutes, the hosts had one final magnificent opportunity as a 40-yard strike from defender Miguel Ponce forced Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose Corona into a great save.
Cornoa failed to catch Ponce's strike and the ball fell to Raul Lopez on the doorstep, but he lofted the rebound attempt over the crossbar, handing the title to Cruz Azul.
The win marks Cruz Azul's first CCL title since 1997, and the club becomes the ninth consecutive Mexican club to hoist the title. Toluca will have to wait another year to win its first CCL title since 1968.
[SportsNetwork.com]
