Toluca to play Cruz Azul for Apertura title

Go to original article

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- Toluca will take on Cruz Azul in the Mexican Apertura final after rallying to beat Santos 2-1 on Sunday with goals from Edgar Duenas and Chilean striker Hector Mancilla.

Edgar Castillo put Santos ahead on a cross from Argentine midfielder Daniel Luduena in the 26th minute but Duenas headed an equalizer two minutes later. Mancilla scored his 13th goal of the season in the 41st to secure victory for Toluca, which had drawn 0-0 in the first leg of the semifinal.

The two-leg final will probably be played Thursday at Blue stadium and Sunday at Nemesio Diez stadium.

This will be the second time in history that the Red Devils and Cruz Azul play for a league title.

Although only Cruz Azul is considered one of the top four teams in the country, the sides share third place among the most successful championship clubs with eight titles. Only America (10) and Chivas (11) have more.

Cruz Azul, which won its last local championship in 1997, advanced to its second straight final on a 4-2 aggregate score after a 1-1 draw with Atlante on Saturday.

Cesar Villaluz opened the scoring in the fourth minute, and Venezuelan striker Giancarlo Maldonado leveled three minutes later.

Cruz Azul lost in the 2008 Clausura final to Santos.