Final Phase
Sunday, January 11
Home Depot Center, Carson, California

Final 1
Pachuca 3(10) - 3(9) Atlas
*Pachuca advanced as “México 3” to the First phase of the Copa Santander Libertadores.

The first final of the Torneo InterLiga 2009, was full of goals, featured a great comeback, and 26 shots from the penalty spot as Pachuca earned their ticket to the Libertadores in dramatic fashion.

Pachuca took a surprising 3-0 lead at the end of the first 45 minutes, thanks to two back-to-back goals by their new signing Edgar Benítez in the 14th and 16th minutes.  Benítez tied Carlos Ochoa of Chivas with four goals in the tournament.

In the 33rd minute, Christian 'Chaco' Giménez appeared to seal the match when he handed the Tuzos a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half.

Despite the deficit in the score, the Rojinegros proposed the match and held possession of the ball but lacked the finishing touch of Pachuca.

The start of the second half featured an explosive Atlas side whose persistence allowed them to fight back with both good football and heart to cut the distance in the score, even with a man down after the first half expulsion of defender Hugo Ayala.

Uruguayan striker Gonzalo Vargas scored the first in the 49th minute, followed by an own goal by Pachuca defender  Leobardo López in the 71st to keep the Zorros alive, and  Paraguayan Jorge Achucarro headed in the tying goal in the 87th minute.

The final whistle blew and the First final would be decided by a penalty shootout.

After a total of 26 penalty shots, which featured some perfectly executed definitions from both sides, goalkeeper Miguel Calero denied Achucarro’s shot in “sudden death” to decree the final 10-9 (13-12 aggregate) score and give Pachuca the ticket to South America’s premier club competition as “México 3.”

The Tuzos will now face Universidad de Chile in the first phase of the Copa Libertadores in a home and away series on January 28, and February 4.  The winner will then incorporate Group 7.

Goals
PAC: Edgar Benítez (14’, 16’), Christian Giménez (33’)
ATL: Gonzalo Vargas (49’), Leobardo López (71’ o.g), Jorge Achucarro (87’)

Final 2
Chivas 1(4) - 1(2) Monarcas Morelia
*Chivas advanced as “México 2” directly to the Copa Santander Libertadores 2009.

Mexico’s most historic and popular club, Chivas Rayadas del Guadalajara, will be present in the new edition of the Libertadores after they defeated Morelia in a penalty shootout in the second Final at Home Depot Center.  

With their leading performance in group play and Finals victory, Chivas also took home the Torneo InterLiga 2009 title.

Since the start of the encounter, both sides came out with the intention of taking the match in regular time and avoid the penalty “lottery.”

It was Chivas who proved dangerous first with Carlos Ochoa and Alberto Medina, but Morelia immediately responded with plays on the wings and long shots forcing the best reactions out of goalkeeper Luis Michel.

With the confidence of first half dominance, Monarcas emerged in similar fashion for the second half pushing Chivas back towards their own end and making goalkeeper Michel a protagonist in the match.  

In the 57th minute, their persistence would be rewarded when off a corner kick Carlos Ochoa ended up heading the ball into his own goal in an attempt to clear it, handing Morelia the 1-0 lead.

Worried by the Monarcas dominance, Chivas coach Efraín Flores took a risk and substituted midfielder Marco Fabián in place of defender Mario de Luna.  Two minutes later, Fabián would respond with an incredible one-timed shot for a golazo which tied the encounter at 1-1 in the 65th minute.

Morelia defender Fernando Salazar would receive a second yellow card a minute after the tying goal, leaving his team a man short to fend off the constant wave of attack deployed by Chivas.  

However, Morelia's defense was well-organized and stood their ground until the final whistle that sent the second Final to a penalty shootout.

The encounter did not feature the best football by the Guadalajara side, but in shots from the penalty spot they proved to be the most assertive and effective.

Carlos Ochoa, Marco Fabián, Héctor Reynoso and Gonzalo Pineda scored for Chivas, while for Morelia Marvin Cabrera and Óscar Rojas scored, but Wilson Tiago and Hugo Droguett missed.

With the 4-2 (5-3 aggregate) penalty shootout victory, Guadalajara earned the direct ticket to the Copa Santander Libertadores 2009, as team “México 2.” 

They are installed in Group 6 where they will face Lanús of Argentina, Everton of Chile and Caracas of Venezuela.

Goals

CHI: Marco Fabián (65’)
MOR: Carlos Ochoa (57’ o.g)