MONTREAL — Dario Benedetto scored three goals and Club America of Mexico beat the Montreal Impact 4-2 on Wednesday night to win the CONCACAF Champions League title.
Club America won the two-game series 5-3 after tying Montreal 1-1 last week in Mexico City.
It was America’s first victory in the Champions League era since 2009, but the Mexico City side won the previous version five times. It will play in the Club World Cup in Japan in December.
Club America scored four times in the second half.
The Impact got the early goal they wanted when Ignacio Piatti dribbled through two defenders on the right side and fed fellow Argentine Romero, who took a few steps to the left and then put a low shot across his body that beat goalkeeper Moises Munoz in the eighth minute.
America missed a chance to tie it in the 12th when Darwin Quintero’s free kick was headed from the left side to a wide open Benedetto, only to see his close range shot hit the woodwork.
Piatti was stopped from close range when he went in alone in the 24th.
America stormed out after the intermission and tied it in the 50th off a turnover. Osvaldo Martinez chipped the ball over a stagnant Montreal defense and Benedetto scored on an impressive volley that Nicht got his hands on but couldn’t hold on to.
Quintero headed a ball that Peralta nodded home from close range in the 64th. Only 2 minutes later, Bendetto charged up the middle and volleyed home a Miguel Samudio feed.
Then Benedetto scored on an open shot from near the penalty spot in the 81st when the Montreal defense overran the ball.
Piatti slipped a pass to the onrushing McInerney for a goal that brought the crowd back to life in the 89th.
Thumbnail image via Eric Bolte/USA TODAY Sports Images
