Liga MX Final 2013: Score, Recap and Analysis for Cruz Azul vs. America

In the first leg of the Liga MX Clausura final, Cruz Azul escaped with a hard-fought 1-0 home win over Club America thanks to an early header put home by midfielder Christian Gimenez. 

The clubs will meet at Estadio Azteca for the second and final leg on Sunday—each with hopes of ending an overdrawn title drought. 

Action at Estadio Azul on Thursday night was fairly slow at the beginning, but after some back-and-forth play, the Argentine Gimenez put Cruz Azul ahead in the 19th minute:

It was a nice buildup by Cruz Azul and a powerful, accurate finish by Gimenez, but America made an atrocious mistake leaving the midfielder completely unmarked in the middle of the box. 

The rest of the first half provided a few opportunities, but nothing of real danger for either side. 

After the break, America intensified the pressure in its attempt to grab an equalizer. In the 52nd minute, Las Aguilas delivered a searching cross into the middle of the box, where they sent a wide-open header scorching onto goal. 

Cruz Azul goalkeeper Jose de Jesus Corona was there for the instinctful save in what was arguably the play of the match: 

Just five minutes later, America put another shot on a goal, and Corona once again made a diving save to help his squad secure the lead. His impact can't be overstated:

"

Jose de Jesus Corona is simply the best goalie in Mexico. He should be man of the match.

— Fabián Saldaña™ (@Fabian_GK) May 24, 2013"

Moments later, there was a bit of controversy when Aquivaldo Mosquera got into it with former teammate Gimenez, but nothing came of it:

America continued to pushed on, but opportunities opened up for Cruz Azul, as well. In the 68th minute, the ball dropped to Javier Antonio Orozco Penuelas at the top of the box. He had a clear look at goal but dragged his shot just wide. 

Still, for most of the second half, it was America looking like the home squad. It controlled a whopping 58 percent of the possession and fired off 22 shots to Cruz Azul's six. 

Alas, Miguel Herrera's squad was unable to earn the crucial road goal against Corona and Cruz Azul and will head home needing at least one goal to stay alive. 

Nevertheless, despite heading into the second leg trailing on aggregate, you have to believe Club America feels it will have the supreme momentum at Estadio Azteca this weekend. It looked like the far more interested squad in the second half on Thursday, while Cruz Azul was slightly shaky in the back. 

Nevertheless, a lead is a lead for Cruz Azul, which put forth a determined effort. As such, it's possible that both squads very well may be claiming "victory" on Thursday night. 

Either way, with America trying to secure its first league title since 2005 and Cruz Azul its first since 1997, the final on Sunday is sure to be scintillating.